The Goiânia City Council approved a bill that creates a support program for women victims of domestic violence, including the possibility of financial assistance to purchase a firearm. The information is from UOL.
The text now depends on sanction or veto by Mayor Sandro Mabel (Union), who has until March 24th to decide.
The proposal, approved unanimously, was presented by councilor Major Vitor Hugo (PL) and establishes the “Feminine Shield” program. The project foresees a series of support steps for victims, which begin with psychological assistance and legal guidance and gradually progress to more direct protection measures.
Assistance for purchasing firearms appears as the last phase of the program and would only be released after meeting the requirements established in the project. Before that, beneficiaries would have access to self-defense courses, support for purchasing pepper spray, with a limit of R$400, and up to R$1,200 for the purchase of electric shock devices.
In the final stage, the text provides for the granting of up to R$5,000 for the purchase of a firearm.
According to the author of the proposal, the initiative seeks to offer alternative protection to women. “I am a right-wing councilor, I defend expanded and easier access to weapons, but this project is not about that, but about protecting women”, he told the UOL.
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Public Ministry challenges legality
The proposal, however, faces legal questions. The Public Ministry of Goiás asked the mayor to veto the project, alleging incompatibility with the Federal Constitution and the Maria da Penha Law.
In a letter sent last Friday (13), the State Gender Center stated that current legislation does not provide for armed self-defense as a structuring instrument to protect victims of domestic violence.
For the body, the measure contradicts already consolidated guidelines for combating gender-based violence.
If the mayor does not respond within the legal deadline, the project will be automatically sanctioned, as provided for in the municipality’s Organic Law.
