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Yemen,Argentina,Costa Rica,Libya,Germany,United States,Brazil,Paraguay,Austria
Most Brazilian Guns Exported to US
29 April 2013
Folha de Sao Paulo
BRASILIA - The U.S., currently discussing restrictions on the sale of firearms, purchased 7.9 million guns from Brazil in the past 40 years, and 59% of those were exported during the Lula administration (2003-2010).
That is the result of a new study by the Army Command to which Folha had access through the Access to Information Act, with a detailed record of the sellers and buyers of 9.9 million revolvers, pistols, rifles and shotguns, among other weapons, exported... (GunPolicy.org)
30 Costa Ricans Apply For Firearm Permits Each Day, Citing Crime Worries
15 April 2013
Inside Costa Rica
Citing ongoing concerns about crime in the country, some 30 Costa Ricans now apply each day for permission to carry a firearm.
The fact that Costa Ricans are arming themselves at a faster rate than before is evident from the long lines that form early each morning outside the Department of Arms and Explosives of the Ministry of Security, where permits are requested.
"You choose to arm yourself because of so many things you see on the street. Where I live is peaceful... (GunPolicy.org)
Austrian Pensioner Shoots and Kills Girlfriend, Self in Costa Rica
28 March 2013
Inside Costa Rica
An Austrian citizen in Guanacaste shot his partner twice before turning the gun on himself Tuesday night, according to the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ).
The murder-suicide occurred in the couple's home in Villa Margarita, 400 meters north of the main traffic lights in Liberia, Guanacaste, where the couple had lived for about five years.
The Judicial Police identified the man by the last name Ladstetter, 71, and his partner by the last name of Achio,... (GunPolicy.org)
30 Percent of Costa Rican Crime Committed with Toy Guns
6 March 2013
Inside Costa Rica
At least three in ten armed robberies in Costa Rica are committed using a toy gun, according to the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ). This week, authorities destroyed 487 such toy guns that were being held in evidence in the National Arsenal.
Among toy guns confiscated by officers are replicas of revolvers, shotguns, AK47's, and pistols of different calibers, according to authorities.
Costa Rican authorities also warned, "the use of replica toy guns is a... (GunPolicy.org)
Costa Rica Plans New Govt Commission to Regulate Guns
18 February 2013
Inside Costa Rica
A replacement text submitted by the Ministry of Public Security aims to create an interagency committee which would regulate the possession of firearms and ammunition in Costa Rica, as well as introduce a series of measures aimed at reducing homicides.
The commission would be composed of one member from the Ministry of Security, another from the Ministry of Justice, as well as a representative from the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Labor, and the Health Ministry,... (GunPolicy.org)
Costa Rica to Tighten Gun Control, as Gun Crime Rises
25 January 2013
Tico Times (Costa Rica)
Two years ago, 32 women, 48 children and 172 men were killed by firearms in Costa Rica.
Those statistics glow from backlit posters on Avenida Escazú, southwest of the capital, and overlook highways in Curridabat, east of the city, emblazoned on giant billboards.
"The goal is to inform people that firearms in general have a negative effect," said Randal Arias, director of the governance and justice program at Costa Rica's Peace and Democracy Foundation and manager of... (GunPolicy.org)
Costa Rica,Mexico,Honduras,Guatemala,Colombia,Brazil,El Salvador
Study Shows South America Gun Deaths More Likely in Cities [Español]
5 December 2012
Prensa Libre (Guatemala) / EFE News Agency
[Translated summary: A new study found that over 60 percent of gun homicides in Costa Rica, Guatemala and El Salvador occur in large cities. ]
GINEBRA - El informe titulado "Violencia urbana armada" señala que las capitales de los países concentran buen parte de la violencia, por ejemplo la Ciudad de Guatemala o Managua, que contabilizan un 42 por ciento del total de los homicidios armados a nivel nacional.
El estudio, basado en cifras oficiales, revela también las... (GunPolicy.org)
Costa Rica to Ban 'Hunting for Sport' in New Law to Protect Wildlife
3 October 2012
France 24
Costa Rica is set to be the first country in the American continent to ban recreational hunting after the country's legislature approved the popular measure by a wide margin.
The bill, which bans hunting for sport but still allows culling and subsistence hunting, was approved late Tuesday by a 41-5 vote. Congress will revisit the issue on Thursday, but the second round is seen as just a formality.
President Laura Chinchilla, who supports the measure, is expected to... (GunPolicy.org)
Costa Rica Authorities Regulate Security Companies' Guns
19 September 2012
Costa Rica News
One of the goals of the Ministry of Public Security (MSP) this year has been to ensure greater control of private security companies and agents who currently operate in the country.
Last Thursday, September 13th, the Minister of Public Security, Mario Zamora Cordero, and the Director of Private Security Services of the MSP, Andres Olsen Villegas, presented a report about the actions that have been implemented this year to regulate private security operations.
The... (GunPolicy.org)
Costa Rica Police Lost 215 Guns to Thieves, Some Found in Panama
18 February 2012
Inside Costa Rica
A total 17 of the 215 firearms stolen from the Policia de Tránsito warehouse almost two weeks ago were recovered by Panamanian police.
Jorge Rojas, director of Cost Rica's Organismo de Investigacion Judicial (OIJ) said in a press conference on Friday that Panamanian police found the guns in a house and two unidentified suspects were in custody. Police also said they found us$11.000 in cash and empty bullet clips.
Rojas said that Costa Rican authorities are in contact... (GunPolicy.org)
Guatemala,United States,Mexico,Costa Rica,South America,Caribbean,Central America
Gun Trade Drives Soaring Latin American Homicide Rates, say Experts
24 November 2011
AFP
SAN JOSE — Illegal weapons trafficking has turned Latin America into a region of bloodletting in which over 40 percent of the world's homicides take place, experts warned Wednesday.
"Forty-two percent of homicides with a firearm that happen worldwide take place in Latin America, though only 10 percent of the world's population lives here," said Nobel laureate and former president Oscar Arias, citing UN data, at a conference of experts.
Although weapons such as... (GunPolicy.org)
Arming Yourself for Self-defence, the Trend in Costa Rica [Espanol]
25 September 2011
Veracruzanos (Costa Rica)
[Translated summary: The trend in Costa Rica seems to be to own firearms for self-defence. According to a recent survey, 60.3% of respondents answered 'yes' to the question 'Do you support the death penalty?'].
La mayoría de participantes en una encuesta telefónica llevada a cabo el pasado miércoles por un canal de la televisión local, en uno de sus espacios informativos, expresó su apoyo a la ejecución de los delincuentes, un castigo abolido hace más de un... (GunPolicy.org)
Costa Rica: Thieves After Guns of Security Guards to Commit Crimes
2 September 2011
Inside Costa Rica
Private security guards in Costa Rica are the new target of thieves looking to steal their guns to commit robberies. Carrying a firearm does not exempt a person from becoming a victim.
Statistics that this year there have already been one too many cases of a death of a person victim of having their firearm stolen.
One such case occurred in Tibás (north side of San José) a few months agon when a Tránsito (traffic) official was shot dead during the robbery of his... (GunPolicy.org)
Costa Rica,Panama,El Salvador,Nicaragua,Colombia,Central America,United States,Mexico,Honduras,Guatemala
Most Guns Seized in Guatemala 'Come From Honduras' [Espanol]
19 July 2011
La Prensa (Honduras), Editorial
[Translated summary: Most guns seized in Guatemala come from Honduras, claims Public Ministry. Assault rifles, hand grenades, semi-automatic weapons, large caliber rifles as unconventional Barrett .50 caliber and AK-47, were part of the weaponry confiscated from the Zetas (dug cartel) operating in Central America.]
Fusiles de asalto, armas automáticas y granadas buscan los criminales mexicanos en países centroamericanos para continuar la guerra que libran con la... (GunPolicy.org)
Guatemala,Costa Rica,Mexico,United States
Latin America to Test US Gun-Tracking System
6 January 2010
USA Today
MEXICO CITY — Police in Latin America will soon have access to a Spanish version of a U.S. gun-tracking system that could widen efforts to hunt down crime suspects and weapons traffickers.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said Wednesday that it is about to begin testing a Spanish-language version of eTrace, the computer system that helps police trace who buys U.S. firearms.
"This is to allow the infrastructure to make it easier for law... (GunPolicy.org)
Costa Rica,United Nations,United States
Costa Rica's Arias Celebrates US Support for Global Gun Trade Treaty
20 October 2009
Daily News (Costa Rica)
President Oscar Arias is viewing the United States' interest in an Arms Trade Treaty as one more trophy to put on his wall.
The disarmament advocate celebrated a statement made by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, which announced the commitment of her country to the establishment of international standards for arms trading.
Arias said the U.S. interest "is encouraging" because it represents "a radical" change from previously held positions. But it is also... (GunPolicy.org)
Gun-free Schools: Campaign Against Violence in Costa Rica [Espanol]
16 May 2009
Nación (Costa Rica)
[Translated summary: The President of Costa Rica launches a Gun-Free Schools campaign after 69 guns were found in primary and high schools in 2007.]
Llamar al 911 y no tocar el arma son los dos primeros pasos que deben seguir los educadores cuando descubren a un alumno con un arma de fuego o punzocortante, como un cuchillo.
En esa situación, el docente debe hablar con calma con el estudiante, sin amenazas, ni regaños, mientras llega la Fuerza Pública.
Estos son... (GunPolicy.org)
Guns, Gun Crime Proliferate in Costa Rica, Warns Security Minister
26 February 2007
Xinhua
Costa Rica's Deputy Minister for Public Security Gerardo Lascarez on Sunday warned against the proliferation of firearms in the nation, which were used in around 5,000 robberies in 2006.
Some 48 people were shot dead in Costa Rica resisting robbery, and another 24 robbery victims killed their attackers in self-defense, according to government data published in the La Nacion newspaper on Sunday.
William Hidalgo, director of weapons at the ministry, said it was... (GunPolicy.org)
El Salvador,Paraguay,Guatemala,Costa Rica,Colombia,Brazil,Mexico,Central America,South America
At Least 90 People Killed in Latin American New Year Celebrations
2 January 2006
Australian Associated Press
SAN SALVADOR — At least 90 people were killed in Latin America in road, fireworks and other accidents during New Year's celebrations.
The highest death toll was registered in El Salvador, where some 33 people were killed and another 89 injured during celebrations marking the start of 2006, officials said.
Carlos Alvarado, a spokesman for the country's civil defence system, said that many of those killed and wounded from late Saturday to early Sunday were victims of... (GunPolicy.org)
Cabbie Shoots Bin Laden. Well You Would, Wouldn't You?
14 December 2004
Associated Press
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Osama bin Laden take note: You wouldn't be safe in Costa Rica. A startled taxi driver shot and wounded a jokester wearing a plastic mask of the al-Qaida leader, police said Tuesday.
Leonel Arias, 47, told police he was playing a practical joke by donning the Bin Laden mask, toting his pellet rifle and jumping out to scare drivers on a narrow street in his hometown, Carrizal de Alajuela, about 20 miles north of San Jose.
Arias had startled... (GunPolicy.org)
