Abstract

Abstract This research deals with one of the most problematic themes in the Brazilian public security agenda, firearm control. Since the publication of the Statute of the Disarmament in 2003, the Federal Police (FP) has been responsible for controlling firearm possession of the civilian population. Thus, FP officers become central players in firearm control policies in Brazil. In this research, we investigate the attitude of Brazilian FP officers towards firearms and what explains this attitude. We collected data from 800 police officers from different positions working in all regions of the country. The results show that police officers believe that firearm possession is an individual right, but firearms do not protect against crime. The results also show that the officers’ attitude towards firearms is influenced by their position and their experience with firearms. The article presents the study’s implications for management theory and practice.

Highlights

  • The discussion on facilitating access to firearms by the civilian population has aroused growing interest and visibility in Brazil

  • The question that motivated this research is the following: what is the attitude of Brazilian Federal Police officers towards firearms? In general, it can be concluded that the Federal Police officers investigated believe that the possession of firearms is an individual right

  • It can be concluded, based on the results found, that the police officers’ attitude towards firearms is influenced by the position and experience of the police officer with firearms

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Summary

Introduction

This is evidenced by the recent normative changes implemented by the Executive branch and by the large number of bills in progress in the National Congress proposing to implement changes in the control of firearms in the country. It is argued that weapons produce violence and increase the severity and lethality of banal conflicts (Thompson, Price, Dake & Tatchell, 2006) In this perspective, weapons are directly related to the high rates of homicides and injuries. It is argued that access to firearms by population would have a deterrent effect on crime due to its effectiveness as a defense tool In this perspective, firearms would be legitimate protection instruments (Zandominighi, Martins & Mouro, 2011). Up to June 2020, there had been 73,985 registrations, while in all year of 2019 was 82,663

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