Brazilian District Bans Sales Of Toy Guns To ‘Change The Culture Of Violence’

[Purveyor]

By Agence France-Presse
Tuesday, September 24, 2013 19:50 EDT

A Brazilian territory is believed to have become the first region in Latin America to ban the sale of toy guns as the country attempts to staunch an epidemic of firearm-related crime.

The Federal District, which encompasses the country’s capital Brasilia and various satellite towns, launched the initiative as Brazil moved to tackle its murder rate.

“To change the culture of violence we must begin from childhood. Our sons will start understanding what is often repeated, that guns are not toys,” said Alirio Neto, the federal secretary’s justice secretary.

With a population of more than 200 million, Brazil recorded 43,000 violent deaths last year, 73 percent from firearms, he noted.

“Violence in Brazil is becoming like a war,” complained Valeria de Velasco, an official dealing with victims of violence in Brasilia.

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http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/09/24/brazilian-district-bans-sales-of-toy-guns-to-change-the-culture-of-violence/

[newfie11]

1. Guess their not controlled by the NRA

Good going Brazil!

[Lurks Often]

2. Probably not going to matter, the children will find substitutes

or make them or just use their hands.

[BainsBane]

3. If only we could learn--or even just care

[hack89]

4. The Federal District has a murder rate six times ours and increasing

we have cut our murder rate in half over the past 20 years and it continues to decline.

Brazil is an incredibly violent country.

[hack89]

5. In 2005 Brazilian voters rejected a national referendum to ban the sale of guns by 65%

their constitution states that every citizen has a right to self defense - the referendum was seen as an attack on a civil right.