BRAZIL GUN REFERENDUM UPDATE:

The size of the rejection was seen as a protest at the failure of public policy on security and as a reflection of discontent with the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. . . .

The No campaign – the effort against the ban – made much of the failure of public policy to deal with the threat of violence. The Yes campaign was seen to lack substance and ultimately failed to present convincing arguments on the risks of gun ownership.

Opinion polls on the eve of the referendum revealed a strong correlation between rejection of the ban and disapproval of Mr Lula da Silva’s government.

Gun control is usually a loser when it goes to a popular vote.