Brazil reports 165% rise in rifle seizures amid Rio de Janeiro weapon recadastre

A recent Sou da Paz report shows Brazil’s confiscations of rifles jumped 165%, expanding from the Rio de Janeiro pattern to 25 of the 27 federative units. The surge includes a 229% increase in Maranhão, 162% in Tocantins and 111% in São Paulo, where pistols seized also rose sharply. Researchers José Roberto de Toledo and Samira Bueno link the escalation to a series of 2019 decrees that loosened access to previously restricted firearms, lowering prices and boosting supply.

In response, the Government of Rio de Janeiro issued a decree mandating an extraordinary, compulsory recadastre of all restricted‑use weapons—rifles, carbines and submachine guns—held by police forces, public entities or private holders. Agencies have 30 days to submit reports on quantities, irregularities and corrective actions, a step aimed at strengthening internal controls and giving prosecutors up‑to‑date oversight.