BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – In the wake of concerns that allowing civilians to own semi-automatic rifles could pose potential risks, Mayor Jerry Treñas sees no issue with the move of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“As long as you are a responsible gun owner, I don’t see anything wrong,” Treñas said in a press conference yesterday.
Treñas also minimized concerns among some gun enthusiasts that permitting civilians to have semi-automatic rifles might encourage a gun culture within society.
However, the mayor emphasized the importance of enforcing strict regulations on firearm ownership, given the potential harm such firearms could cause if they ended up in the wrong hands.
Under Republic Act (RA) No. 10591, known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, the general prohibition is against civilians owning automatic rifles.
The law permits civilians to own certain types of firearms but imposes strict regulations on their possession, use, and carrying to safeguard public safety.
Automatic rifles, categorized as “prohibited firearms” for civilian ownership, are typically restricted to specific government entities and law enforcement agencies.
Automatic rifles are classified as Class-A firearms, usually reserved for military and law enforcement purposes. However, the PNP has recently announced a forthcoming policy allowing civilians to legally own semi-automatic rifles.
A technical working group has proposed a minor amendment to the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of RA 10591, which has been forwarded to the University of the Philippines Law Center for publication, fulfilling the law’s publication requirement.
Earlier, the Civil Security Unit Region 6 pointed out potential advantages, such as a decrease in unregistered firearms due to stricter regulations and an increase in government revenue through licensing fees.
Police Lieutenant Richard E. Lumbres, chief of the Firearms and Explosives Section of the Civil Security Unit 6 at the Police Regional Office 6, also assured the public that safety protocols, including neurological examinations and other assessments to determine an individual’s eligibility for gun ownership, would remain intact.
According to the implementing rules and regulations of RA No. 10591, an ordinary citizen may own and possess firearms if they meet certain criteria, including being a Filipino citizen, at least 21 years old at the time of application, having an occupation, business, or having filed a tax return as proof of income.
Additionally, applicants must provide court clearance demonstrating that they have not been convicted by final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude or are not currently accused in any pending criminal case before any court of law for a crime punishable by more than two years.
Applicants are also required to obtain neuropsychiatric clearance from the PNP Health Service or its accredited psychiatrist or psychologist and drug test clearance.
They must also acquire a certificate proving they passed the required gun safety and responsible gun ownership seminar.
Required documents include police clearance, birth certificate, proof of latest billing, two valid identification cards, income tax return, certificate of employment, or business permit./PN
