In a runup to the October elections, the government of Hugo Chavez has just passed a new law that bans the sale of firearms and ammunition. Now only the military, the police, and certain companies such as security firms will be able to purchase firearms - and that purchase must be through a state-owned weapons manufacturer and importer.

Until now, any private citizen with a permit could buy arms from a privately owned company.

Chavez insists this will improve security and cut crime. (There were 18,000 murders in Venezuela last year and Caracas is regarded as the most dangerous city in Latin America.) Chavez has said publicly his ultimate goal is to disarm all civilians, claiming this will deter violent crime.

According to a recent UN report*, South America, Central America & the Caribbean have the highest rates of murder by firearms in the world. In South America, 70% of all homicides are a result of gun violence; in Western Europe, the figure is closer to 25%, and in North America (includes Mexico), the figure is 57%.

*UNODC - Global Study on Homicide, 2011

www.unodc.org . . .

According to the Venezuela Violence Observatory, violence has risen steadily since Chavez took office in 1999.

www.bbc.co.uk . . .

who cares, fuck south america

let them kill each other

Well he already controls the media, the food supply, and the elections. This was just a matter of time. It's Tyrants 101 really.

Will he die already?

Given they already have one the world's highest murder rates this should work out swell for the few law abiding ones left


But it's political anyways to disarm the serfs that haven't sworn homage to the Pineapple.

Me thinks his underlings are planning for civil war after Hugo departs.

I think its time the CIA started making these again. Drop a few million of them all over the country.