Police Kill 9 In Rio de Janeiro Shootout

[Winchester 73]

It could be a lot worse than living in the USA.

http://my.att.net/s/editorial.dll?p...rg=blsadstrgt&_lid=332&_lnm=tg+ne+topnews&ck=

Brazil police kill 9 in Rio shootout
Published: 4/15/08, 10:46 PM EDT
By STAN LEHMAN
SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - A police raid on a Rio de Janeiro shantytown set off a fierce gunbattle that killed at least nine people and wounded seven on Tuesday, officials said.

Some 180 heavily armed officers entered the Vila Cruzeiro slum to search for drugs and arrest suspected dealers, a spokesman for Rio's Public Safety Department said. He declined to be identified in line with departmental policy.

The spokesman said the nine men killed "had ties to drug gangs," and 14 "suspected drug traffickers" were arrested. Police seized several heavy-caliber weapons, ammunition and drugs.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the world's most violent cities, with frequent shootouts between police and gangs and an annual murder rate of about 50 per 100,000.

A record 1,260 civilians died in clashes with police in Rio de Janeiro state last year, according to a report by the state's Institute of Public Safety.

 

[rainbowbob]

Are guns illegal in Rio?

 

[jeff-10]

A record 1,260 civilians died in clashes with police in Rio de Janeiro state last year

Sounds like full on combat operations.

A couple of interesting articles about gun control in Brazil. It was apparently put to a referendum and denied by by a majority of people but still seems to have been implmented.

http://www.alternet.org/story/27279/

http://usgovinfo.about.com/b/2004/07/22/brazil-implements-strict-gun-control-measures.htm

I work in an area with a heavy immigrant population from Brazil. I will have to get there take on gun laws in Brazil.

 

[Winchester 73]

Rio de Janeiro is one of the worlds most violent cities,an annual murder rate of about 50 per 100,000.

Most violent U.S.cities as of 2003.Note Atlanta,Baltimore,Detroit,Washington,D.C. and the undisputed champ(before Katrina)New Orleans which outstripped even Rio.
Honolulu is amazing and NYC comes in at 7.4.

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0004902.html

 

[Bones11b]

Somewhat off topic, but for a great film on Rio and it's gangs and guns watch "City of God". Based on a true story.

 

[Mp7]

The "cops" actually use FALs to shoot into the favelas.
With all the walls made from thin plywood.....

only a tiny percentage of victims are dealers i think.
The usual collateral damage....

Those Paramilitary units and the so called Deathsquads
look pretty similar to me.

 

[106rr]

The rules of engagement are different in Brazil. Officers are obligated to fire on fleeing suspects or escaping prisoners. There is no hope of having a gunfight in a favela (Brazilain ghetto) without collateral damage. The collateral damage is due to the drug dealers not the police.

 

[Justin]

Somewhat off topic, but for a great film on Rio and it's gangs and guns watch "City of God". Based on a true story.

Seconded. The DVD of "City of God" that I watched also had a couple of documentaries about police and criminals in Rio that were almost as interesting as the movie.

 

[Cosmoline]

Gun laws in Brazil are VERY strict and have been for many years. I remember one Brazilian here commenting that he had to go through reams of red tape to buy a Win 92 in .44-40 even as he heard the auto fire of illegal AK's in the distance.

 

[jeff-10]

Rio de Janeiro is one of the worlds most violent cities,an annual murder rate of about 50 per 100,000.

Murder rate? I am sure those 1,260 civilians killed by the Rio police were not in that statistic. The US may be the best statistics keepers in the world but we don't have any cities that come anywhere near Rio for sheer lawlessness and danger.

Just another day in the favelas...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abJQna89wfI

 

[Winchester 73]

Quote:
Rio de Janeiro is one of the worlds most violent cities,an annual murder rate of about 50 per 100,000.

Murder rate? I am sure those 1,260 civilians killed by the Rio police were not in that statistic. The US may be the best statistics keepers in the world but we don't have any cities that come anywhere near Rio for sheer lawlessness and danger.

Just another day in the favelas...

You are almost certainly right jeff-10
My first day in in Rio in 1995 I was taking a photo in a park when I felt a poke in my ribs with a handgun.
An hombre was demanding my wallet and camera.
I spent the next day at the Rio Police and Customs reporting my stolen items and passport.I was in line behind about 20 people.
Needless to say ,I have not returned to Rio.

 

[RedLion]

Was that a bren gun I saw in that Rio gun fight video??

 

[Winchester 73]

Was that a bren gun I saw in that Rio gun fight video??

Who knows?Everthing from Thompson's to Brens to AR-15's are being used in in Rio.
One of my best friend's goes there 20 times a year on business.
He feels lucky to be alive.

 

[Tom Fury]

Used to be...

one of those places where ownership was legal, but in sub military/police calibers (.380?) I haven't been there since .40 came out though.
Friends took me to Sugarloaf at night; you could see fires burning in the Favelas. Friends told me that was a signal to the police not to come up there that night, as drug shipments were being distributed to dealers.
A Brazilian pastor friend ministering to some of his flock in the Favelas was routinely met on the way in by armed parties and passed thru when they knew it was him.
Agree; not possible to start a firefight in Favelas without collateral damage; they take turf very seriously.
I am sure there is a serious black market for firearms there if you know where to look. There is for everything else.

Cheers, TF