Brazil's Senate Rejects Bolsonaro's Firearms Decree

Senate voted against it 47 votes to 28

Brazil's Senate voted down on Tuesday (18)-- 47 votes to 28-- President Jair Bolsonaro's (PSL) decree that relaxes the possession of firearms in Brazil.

The decision still must go to the  House, and decrees are valid until the House votes. The order will probably go directly to Congress, but there is no deadline for voting.

After the Senate voted on the issue, Bolsonaro wrote on social media saying he expected the "House not to follow the Senate, maintaining the validity of our decree, respecting the referendum of 2005 and the legitimate right to defense."

"I think the 'government's defense of the decree is fragile, but I respect it," said Congressional leader, Rodrigo Maia (DEM-RJ).

If the measure loses in Congress, the government will appeal to the Supreme Court.  

Asked what he would do if he were defeated, Bolsonaro said on Tuesday: "I can not do anything. I'm not a dictator; I'm a Democrat."