Lula Implements Stricter Gun Control Measures in Brazil

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has implemented stricter gun control measures in response to a surge in firearm ownership during his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro's term. The new controls include limits on stockpiles of guns and ammunition, as well as the prohibition of certain weapons. Lula attributed a wave of political violence during the previous presidential election to looser gun controls. The move comes after several recent school shootings in a country that recorded over five murders per hour on average in 2022. Brazil currently has almost 800,000 registered gun owners, up from less than 120,000 in 2018.