Oct 24, 2005
Brazil Says Yes to Gun Rights
Shout it from the rooftops. An amazing 64 percent of Brazilian voters have rejected a proposed ban of all guns.
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William J. Stepp - 10/26/2005
I thought you once said you're a libertarian, or at least a classical liberal?
When guns are outlawed, only outlaws (and the State) will have guns.
That's not a society that promotes liberty, safety, or responsible actions by anyone.
Ralph E. Luker - 10/25/2005
I have no answer for you in specific, individual cases and it is true that crime generally occurs only in specific, individual cases. On the other hand, if we are talking about shaping a culture of law and order, the banning of private ownership of guns strikes me as a very positive step in that direction.
Lisa Casanova - 10/25/2005
Dr. Luker,
What would you have them do? I had a Latin American studies teacher who told us stories of the Brazilian favelas, places where poverty is rampant, crime is terrible, and the police simply don't go. It's fine to say guns should be banned and the police will protect everyone, but there's no protection coming for the people who live there. Yes, they have a horrific crime problem. But when the police can't or won't protect you, how does a gun ban make things better, or the absence of one make things worse?
Ralph E. Luker - 10/25/2005
This will do so much to reduce the horrific rate by which Brazilians are killed by other Brazilians!
William J. Stepp - 10/24/2005
Will _The Economist_ ("Protecting Citizens from Themselves," Oct. 22: "A 'No' vote would be a setback for public safety") do a mea culpa?
Don't hold your breath.
It did allow that Brazillians urged their countrymen to defend themselves, because the government will not.
The subtitle of the article is "Gun control is saving lives in Brazil. Voters will now decide its pace."
Paging John Lott Jr. to tell them the truth.