Firearm Related Deaths in Brazil at Record High, Says New Study

05/14/2015 - 08h53

Every day, 116 people die because of firearms in Brazil. In 2012 (the last year for which figures are available), 42,416 people were killed, 95% of whom were homicide victims.

The figures, which are part of the 2015 Map of Violence, produced by government bodies and Unesco, are the highest registered in Brazil since these records began in 1980.

According to the study, which is due to be published on Thursday (14), firearm deaths grew 387% during this period. In the last decade, however, the increase has slowed to 11.7%.

The study identifies young people from 15 to 29 years of age as the main victims. In 2012, 24,882 people in this age bracket were killed, 59% of all cases - another record.

For Julio Jacobo Waiselfisz, the sociologist who wrote the study, young people's lack of access to efficient public policy, especially in education, makes them more vulnerable to violence.

"This group is still not considered priority for public policy. There are policies, but they are insufficient," he says.

The north of Brazil has seen the highest growth in firearm-related deaths, with an increase of 135.7% in ten years.

The study was based on data from the Ministry of Health and death certificates issued in Brazil.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

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	Reprodução/TV Tribuna
	Every day, 116 people die because of firearms in Brazil