Brazil Gun Ban Imposed Amid Terrorist Threats Ahead of Lula's Inauguration

As a preventative measure leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva on January 1, Supreme Court issued a four-day Brazil gun ban in the capital Wednesday.

Judge Alexandre de Moraes, in his ruling suspending licenses of registered gun owners, cited the recent crimes committed by "terrorist groups financed by shameless magnates" as justification for the temporary firearms ban.

A registered gun owner caught in Brasilia during those four days may face charges of illegally carrying a weapon under the terms of a recent ruling.

Following the arrest of a man on suspicion of planting and obtaining explosive materials at Brasilia International Airport, Lula da Silva's team requested a gun ban at the inauguration.

According to a statement he gave to police that was obtained by CNN, the suspect, a 54-year-old gas station manager named George Washington de Oliveira Sousa, said he wanted to "create chaos" to stop Lula presidency in January.

On Wednesday at 6 p.m. local time, the Brazil gun ban was scheduled to go into effect and remain in place until midnight on Sunday.

According to Moraes' writing, active-duty military personnel, police officers, and private security guards are exempt from the Brazil gun ban.

Jair Bolsonaro Questions Lula's Presidency Victory

Bolsonaro has hinted that he will not accept an election loss for long, spreading false claims about rampant fraud in the country's election system.

Bolsonaro's first-round performance in October's presidential election was strong, receiving 43.2% of the vote. However, he ultimately finished second to his left-wing opponent, Lula.

After the first round of voting ended with no candidate receiving a majority vote, the election went to a runoff on October 30; in this round, Lula was victorious.

Bolsonaro has been largely silent following his defeat, said Al Jazeera.

Days after the election, he gave a speech in which he pledged to uphold the constitution but did not directly accept Lula's victory.

Bolsonaro and his supporters challenged the election results in a complaint filed in November.

Moraes, who presides over Brazil's Superior Electoral Court, quashed that effort.

Bolsonaro's coalition was fined for filing a complaint with a "total absence of any evidence."

With Bolsonaro in office, gun control measures were relaxed, and the number of legally owned firearms increased sixfold, roughly 700,000.

The incoming Justice Minister Flavio Dino said the court's ruling would help ensure security ahead of Lula's inauguration.

Officials have expressed concern that Bolsonaro's far-right supporters could cause a dangerous atmosphere.

Man Behind Brazil Terrorist Threats Says President Jair Bolsonaro Inspired Him

Sousa, the man arrested for plotting Brazil terrorist threats, said he spent over $30,000 on ammunition and firearms because President Bolsonaro "inspired" him.

Police say he had a rifle, two shotguns, revolvers, more than a thousand ammunition rounds, and five bombs in the apartment he rented in Brasilia.

According to what the suspect told the police, his objectives were "to prevent the establishment of communism in Brazil" and "provoke an intervention of the armed forces."

After Souza was arrested, Flavio Dino, the country's next justice minister, said that security would need to be tightened for the inauguration of Lula presidency.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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