With the fiscal package about to enter Congress’ agenda, the Chamber of Deputies this week approved a series of controversial projects. Changes to the Disarmament Statute were reviewed by deputies, which, in addition to making access to weapons more flexible, provided amnesty for those convicted of illegal possession.
In recent days, federal deputies have also approved measures that tighten the Penal Code, such as chemical castration for those convicted of pedophilia and the extension of the period of compulsory hospitalization for convicts diagnosed with a mental disorder.
This Thursday, the 12th, the president of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-PI), announced that, next week, meetings in permanent committees in the House will be suspended. The objective is to prioritize the discussion and approval of projects in the plenary, such as the tax package and tax reform regulations. Lira highlighted the “proximity of the end” of the legislative year, scheduled for December 22nd. The sessions will resume on February 2, when there will be an election for the succession of the House command.
The project that changes the Disarmament Statute was maneuvered by the “bullet bench”, as an informal bloc of parliamentarians with arms-oriented profiles is known. The text makes gun ownership more flexible. Today, anyone responding to a police investigation or criminal case is prevented from issuing legal possession. With the change, only convicted felons will be prevented from carrying weapons.
The change, in practice, allows a person convicted in the first or second instance who is still appealing the sentence in court to maintain access to a firearm.
The approved project also provides amnesty for those who have had illegal weapons since 2008 and waives the requirement for certificates of technical aptitude, psychological aptitude, proof of suitability and criminal records to regularize the weapon. The text also provides a new deadline for the regularization of illegal weapons.
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This Thursday, the 12th, in a tumultuous session, the Chamber approved chemical castration for those convicted of pedophilia. The measure, authored by an amendment by former minister Ricardo Salles (Novo-SP), received 267 votes in favor and 85 against, in addition to 14 abstentions. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s (PT) support base voted against the proposal. Salles’ amendment was added to a project that provides for the creation of a public registry of those convicted of sexual crimes.
In the same session, the Chamber approved a project that extends the period for compulsory hospitalization of convicts diagnosed with mental disorders. Brazilian legislation defines those under 18 years of age and those who, due to a mental disorder, do not have “discernment regarding illicit acts” as non-imputable. In cases where the person diagnosed represents a risk to the community, a request for compulsory hospitalization may be requested, which requires a medical report and authorization from a judge.
The minimum term for compulsory hospitalization today is 1 to 3 years. The project approved by the Chamber, authored by federal deputy Delegado Waldir (União Brasil-GO), extends the minimum period to 3 to 20 years.
