Solon Brochado: On the day of the referendum, O Globo published an interview (portuguese, free reg.) with a political scientist, analyzing what already seemed like a “no” victory. It repeats the “it was a marketing victory” spin, while still mantaining that such public consultations are an important democratic instrument.
But there’s something that really puzzles me in her reasoning. It is true that, even with a “no” victory, poor people won’t be able to exercise their right to buy arms, since licensing and registering a gun is very expensive. I just don’t see how that could be used as an argument in favor of a “yes” vote. If anything, it seems to me it should reinforce the opinion of those that believe in mantaining the Brazilian people’s right to bear arms.
On a last note, it should be noted that the Globo organization, Brazil’s largest and most influential news corporation, was publicly in favor of the ban, and it is almost unanimous that their coverage was very favorable to the “yes” front. Just as Veja, the country’s most prominent weekly political magazine was bordering irresponsibility with its campaign in favor of the “no” vote. Anyways, here’s the article:
