Brazil's president signs decree to relax gun control

BRASILIA - Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro signed a decree on Tuesday that makes it easier for people to own, register and sell guns in the South American country.

The major move since Bolsonaro took office on Jan 1 honored one of his main campaign promises.

"As the people sovereignly decided, to safeguard the right of self-defense, today I am going to use this weapon," Bolsonaro said, holding up his pen before signing the document.

"I'm restoring what the people wanted in 2005," Bolsonaro said, referring to a referendum held 14 years ago in which most Brazilians opposed additional restrictions on gun ownership.

The decree issued on Tuesday is confined to gun possession only. It allows Brazilians aged 25 and above to keep up to four guns at home, and the need for any more must be qualified. Among the restrictions stated in the decree is that a gun buyer must undergo a psychological evaluation and has no criminal record.

Making it easier for Brazilians to arm themselves as a way to combat crime is controversial.

A poll by Datafolha Institute published in December showed 61 percent of Brazilians believed possessing guns should be banned as it poses a life threat against other people.