It was perhaps not the wisest question to a gangland boss: how good is your gun? “These guns are the best,” said the Red Command patrão (neighbourhood boss), patting a Glock pistol with an extended 32-bullet clip. “I’ll show you.” With that, he pointed the barrel to the sky and let off a volley of half a dozen shots. “Do you understand now?” The crackle of gunfire might have sparked consternation in many countries, but in this gang-controlled favela in the north of Rio de Janeiro, the sound was so commonplace that passersby barely broke stride. Three young gang members with Glocks and walkie-talkies looked up briefly and then continued chatting on the white plastic chairs that served as their sentry post. Drug users in the nearby crack den failed to stir at all. The police were nowhere in sight. This has been the norm in many parts of the city for much of the past two decades, and explains why one of the most oft-heard questions about the 2014 World Cup is “Will it be safe?” For years, many of Rio’s slums have been off-limits to the authorities, with gangland favelas regarded as ungovernable neighbourhoods. Racked by some of…