A new report titled “PROARMAS in the National Congress: An Analysis of Parliamentary Action,” produced by the Fogo Cruzado Institute, reveals that a civilian armament caucus of 23 congresspeople elected with PROARMAS support acts as a reinforcing force for the gun lobby in Brazil’s National Congress. PROARMAS is a Brazilian organization inspired by the American NRA (National Rifle Association) that advocates for expanded civilian access to firearms.
The analysis of 739 bills filed between 2023 and 2024 shows that criminal hardening—focused on increasing penalties and reducing legal protections—is the most frequent theme among the group’s proposals, even surpassing the civilian armament agenda itself.
Despite PROARMAS presenting itself as a defender of expanded civilian access to firearms, only 52 bills (7%) directly address “Arms and ammunition.” The majority focus on Public Security (78 bills) and the Penal Code (73 bills), with 53 of the latter dealing with penalty increases.
The report reveals that parliamentarians instrumentalize complex social issues, such as domestic violence and school safety, to justify projects aimed at relaxing weapon access restrictions. Examples include proposals to authorize teachers to carry weapons, grant tax exemptions for domestic violence victims purchasing firearms, and mandate armed security guards in schools.
The caucus has a predominantly male profile (87%) and is significantly composed of public security professionals (35%), explaining the focus on repression and social control policies. Additionally, 83% of parliamentarians are affiliated with the PL party.
Beyond armament advocacy, the study identifies a clear moralizing and conservative agenda manifesting in proposals to veto gender-related educational content, prohibit LGBTQIA+ events, and increase detention periods for juvenile offenders.
PROARMAS-linked parliamentarians produced bills 68% above the Congressional average, presenting an average of 32 bills per author compared to the general average of 19 per congressperson. Of the 739 bills analyzed: 22 were archived, 15 withdrawn, 70 are ready for plenary voting, 21 have progressed to another chamber, and only four became law—none directly related to armament.
About Fogo Cruzado
Fogo Cruzado is an Institute that uses technology to produce and disseminate open and collaborative data on armed violence, strengthening democracy through social transformation and life preservation. With its own innovative methodology, the institution’s data laboratory produces more than 50 unprecedented indicators on violence in the metropolitan regions of Rio, Recife, Salvador, and Belém.
Through a mobile application, Fogo Cruzado obtains and makes available real-time verified information about shootings, operating the only open database on armed violence in Latin America, accessible free of charge through the Institute’s API or monthly reports.
Press Contact: Gabrielli Thomaz – (21) 99024-6578 / [email protected]