Brazil Shoots Down Gun Ban.

There's good news from South America for the right to own guns. Brazil's voters defeated a draconian attempt to ban gun and ammunition sales to private citizens. (Story here.) The gun banners tried to use Brazil's high-crime rate as a justification to ban private gun ownership. The opponents carried the day by making the common-sense argument that without being able to own guns ordinary citizens would have to rely on the police for protection, a job they aren't doing too well at the moment. Of course, that's not how the news article characterizes it.

"While supporters argued that gun control was the best way to staunch the violence, opponents played on Brazilians' fears that the police can't protect them."

Whatever.

Apparently, the National Rifle Association helped to defeat the ban. And people say exporting US culture is a bad thing.

Meanwhile, here in California, Mister Americano will be eligible to buy another handgun come October 26, 2005, as it'll be 30 days since he bought his .357 Ruger SP-101. California limits handgun purchases to one every 30 days. He's looking for a decent .22 handgun for target practice. Any suggestions?

-tdr