Bolsonaro to deliver promise and loosen gun laws

Among the most controversial promises of Jair Bolsonaro’s presidential campaign was his pledge to loosen up Brazil’s gun laws. Now, less than two weeks into his term as head of state, Mr. Bolsonaro is set to issue a decree broadening Brazilian citizens’ access to firearms. An announcement is expected from the Ministry of Justice on Tuesday and the alteration to existing regulations would come into effect immediately.

Guns held great significance for Jair Bolsonaro throughout the 2018 election campaign. Besides promising to reform Brazil’s firearm laws, arguing that police officers should “shoot to kill” when dealing with criminals, and using his “finger guns” salute as a symbol of his candidacy, Mr. Bolsonaro also claimed he would “machine gun” his opposition.

In the new president’s campaign program, among the list of measures to be taken to reduce crime, item four promises to “reform the Disarmament Act to guarantee the citizens’ right to self-defense, [defense] of family, of property, and of others.” The document also downplayed the importance of gun control, arguing that firearms are “inert objects, which can be used to kill or save...