The national secretary of Legislative Affairs of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Marivaldo Pereira, left a public hearing in the Chamber of Deputies this Wednesday (27) after being called a “liar” by deputy Caveira (PL-PA). Pereira, who represented the Minister of Justice, Ricardo Lewandowski, had stated that the government is willing to dialogue with representatives of the sector to adjust Decree 11.615/23, which tightens the rules on shooting clubs and firearms in Brazil.
Before leaving the session, the secretary reinforced that the objective was never to persecute shooting clubs or those who own weapons, but to regain control of public policy on weapons in the country. He also cited the episode involving former deputy Roberto Jefferson, who shot against federal police officers during an approach in 2022, as an “example of the dangers of an unregulated arms policy”.
“What we were experiencing was an absolute lack of control over weapons policy, which particularly put public security agents at risk,” he said.
Despite the tensions, Marivaldo Pereira reinforced that the government is open to dialogue, but made it clear that there is no room for flexibility that would compromise public safety. “We have to come together here to dialogue and seek a balance, responsible gun control, which defends women from feminicide, the public security agent when carrying out a court order, when carrying out an approach on the street”, he added.
Criticism of the weapons decree in the Lula government
The hearing, initially called to debate the validity periods of firearm registration certificates, became a stage for harsh criticism of Decree 11,615/23 by deputies and representatives of collectors, sports shooters and hunters (CACs).
Among the most criticized points is the limitation of the operation of shooting clubs to the period from 6pm to 10pm, which, according to participants, makes the activities of athletes and clubs unfeasible.
Giovanni Roncalli, president of the Brazilian Tactical Shooting Confederation, expressed concern about the future of the sector. “It’s difficult, we’re going to close, and I’m worried,” he said. Deputy Sergeant Portugal (Pode-RJ) highlighted the economic impact of the measure: “The government needs to look at the jobs created and the taxes collected by these clubs.”
The tone of criticism was accentuated by deputies Eder Mauro (PL-PA), Sergeant Fahur (PSD-PR) and Sergeant Gonçalves (PL-RN), who defended shooting clubs as generators of employment and income. “A shooting club where there are professionals who compete in the Olympics and who need to train cannot be dependent on a schedule of 6pm to 10pm. It’s absurd.”, declared Mauro.
Sergeant Fahur asked the government to avoid “vindictive” decisions and understand the economic role of the sector. “It is a request that I make to the minister [Ricardo] Lewandowski, from Justice, and to the Lula government itself, which does not take revengeful action. When you are going to act on this, understand that they are family men, Brazilian citizens, who are there wanting to practice sports and turn the economy around”, he said.
