'Good people' back Brazil pro-gun stab victim presidential candidate By Gabriela VAZ

Armando Piccinini's father was gunned down outside a bank 16 years ago, but now the 53-year-old is a gun-ownership advocate who says weapons are self-defense necessities in crime-ridden Brazil.

"Rio is on the brink of civil war, and it will soon be declared," said businessman Piccinini at the Calibre 12 shooting range in Niteroi, near Rio.

He was with his father the day he died.

"Good people will arm themselves to defend their families, their property, and this war will be declared if the authorities don't do something."
"A pro-gun candidate suffering a kitchen knife attack; it just proves that it is man, not guns, that is guilty of violence."
"On the contrary, this would increase violence."
"We good citizens demand the right to defend our families and our possessions."
"I've taught my three children to drive, swim and shoot. For me, that's a basic right." Piccinini says: "There's a family atmosphere here." It's the "only tourist business in Brazil that promotes excursions in which you can have your first contact with a gun."
Alberto says the 2003 law prevents "good citizens from the right to legitimate self-defense, as guaranteed in the constitution."