Small Arms Proliferation and Urban Violence: Designing Disarmament Frameworks for Brazilian Metropolitan Areas

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2013 | pp. 217–225

DOI: 10.46882/2013/GJPCS/000046

Article Type: Policy Analysis Paper

Title: Small Arms Proliferation and Urban Violence: Designing Disarmament Frameworks for Brazilian Metropolitan Areas

Names of Authors: Thiago Santos¹, Clara Montgomery²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Institute of Social and Political Studies, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; ²School of Global Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom

Abstract: The unrestricted flow of black-market small arms remains a primary driver of lethal violent crime across Latin American urban peripheries. This policy analysis evaluates the design, regulatory hurdles, and operational gaps of firearms buyback initiatives within metropolitan Brazil. By analyzing state homicide registries, ballistic tracing files, and border interdiction data from 2006 to 2011, this paper measures the impact of disarmament campaigns. The policy assessment indicates that localized weapon collection programs yield transient drops in urban violence due to highly porous national borders and active transnational arms supply routes. Quantitative regression models reveal that a 10% surge in black-market weapon seizures correlates with a localized 2.5% decrease in gun-related crimes. The analysis highlights critical structural gaps, including outdated digital weapon tracking registries and inadequate maritime border surveillance infrastructure. The paper recommends transitioning to an integrated regional border monitoring system backed by automated ballistic data exchanges and targeted community youth employment initiatives.

Keywords: Small Arms Proliferation, Urban Violence, Disarmament Frameworks, Brazil, Ballistic Tracing, Border Surveillance, Policy Analysis

Manuscript Timeline: Received: September 05, 2012; Revised: November 29, 2012; Accepted: December 18, 2012; Published: January 20, 2013

Citation: Santos, T., & Montgomery, C. (2013). Small Arms Proliferation and Urban Violence: Designing Disarmament Frameworks for Brazilian Metropolitan Areas. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 4(1), 217–225. DOI: 10.46882/2013/GJPCS/000046

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