The issue becomes relevant on the day when the International Day to Raise Awareness on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation is being celebrated.

Until 2022, more than one million firearms, both registered and illegal, had been accounted for, according to statistics released by Grupo R Multimedio.

Of the total number of weapons recognized in Uruguay until that year, 2.5 percent (15,066) were in the hands of companies, while 5.5 percent (33,335 units) belonged to the Ministry of the Interior, and 0.85 percent (5,519) to public companies and other State agencies.

According to the organization Small Arms Survey, there were 34.7 weapons per 100 inhabitants in Uruguay in late 2017, which by then ranked fifth in the world with the most weapons per capita in the hands of civilians.

The source added that since 2020, 1,412 homicides have been committed, mostly with firearms.

Until September 2022, nearly 17,000 individuals had more than three registered weapons.

In turn, there are 2,477 Uruguayans who, in particular, have more than eight registered firearms.

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