Army transfers control of CAC weapons to the Federal Police

Brazilian Army officers met with Federal Police delegates this Thursday, the 15th, to finalize the transfer of control over the possession and use of weapons, including CACs (hunters, shooters and collectors).

The measure has been in process since 2023 and is considered a key piece in curbing the unbridled spread of weapons in the hands of civilians, which was the target of criticism from the Workers' Party (PT) throughout the Bolsonaro government.

With the additional term to the agreement, signed by ministers Ricardo Lewandowski (Justice and Public Security) and José Múcio Monteiro (Defense), the final deadline for the conclusion of the process was set for July 1, 2025.

The transfer of responsibilities to the Federal Police is based on Decree No. 11,615, of July 2023, which determines that the entity will take care of the authorization, control and inspection of weapons, ammunition and accessories used for exceptional hunting, sport shooting and weapons collecting.

In addition, the Federal Police will also be responsible for authorizing the transportation of weapons, known as transit permits. These functions were previously performed by the Army, but the transfer to the Federal Police follows what is already provided for in Law No. 10,826 of 2003, the so-called Disarmament Statute.

According to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP), R$20 million were allocated for the PF to take over inspection.

The department's executive secretary, Manoel Carlos de Almeida Neto, also reported that Weapons Control Stations will be created in the capitals of all states and in the Federal District, in addition to 96 Weapons Control Centers in federal police stations in the interior of the country, totaling 123 structures.

Lula government invests in disarmament

After criticizing Jair Bolsonaro's plan to arm the civilian population during the 2022 election campaign, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) put measures into practice in his government to try to control the arms market.

A decree signed in 2023 reinstated restrictions on some types of caliber, placed a higher limit on the acquisition of weapons and ammunition and created rules for the installation and operation of shooting clubs.

“We have no information that these weapons that are being sold are for decent, honest people who just want to protect themselves. We don’t know if it is organized crime that is gaining access to them. That is why we will continue to fight for an unarmed country. The Brazilian police are the ones who need to be well armed,” Lula said in July 2023.

The Army's ability to inspect firearms and ammunition has been challenged in recent years. In 2023, the Federal Court of Auditors (TCU) published an audit report that found “serious weaknesses” in all areas of military control: authorization, inspection and regulation.

PF Training

In 2024, Federal Police teams underwent several training sessions on the Army's corporate inspection systems.

In addition to technical training, the Army shared source codes, databases and other digital resources to ensure that the migration takes place safely, seamlessly and legally. To date, 600 PF employees have been qualified.

According to the Army, periodic meetings have been held since the agreement was signed, ensuring governance and monitoring of the process.