The irony of Gun Free Zones knows no borders.

As many as 20 pupils are feared dead after a gunman opened fire in a primary school in western Rio de Janeiro.

"There is blood on the walls, blood on the chairs. There are 15 to 20 dead I think," said De Macedo, who was covered in blood. "I've never seen anything like this. It's like something in the United States."

Yes. It is like something in the United States where we also have the dreaded "Gun Free Zone". I wonder if like the United States, Rio also has those little signs with the gun crossed out, declaring that the rule of law is used to enforce defenselessness within their schools?