I am a gun enthusiast and I also join shooting competition (not so competitive) with fellow mediamen shooters and the PROS in shooting sports.

Shooting competitions either practical shooting or tactical shooting are so much of fun and I really enjoy it but at the same time, I am aware, it is more of a ‘great responsibility having a gun in possession.’

This is why i prefer to keep myself low profile whenever I step out of the house and carry my LICENSED WITH PERMIT TO CARRY FIREARMS OUTSIDE OF RESIDENCE pistol. My way of being a RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNER, TO KEEP CALM AND AVOID CONFLICTS.

There are some who are (close-minded) against this practice – arming a pistol for defense and protection, well, I can respect everyone’s stand or opinion, but in return I know I am entitled with the same respect if I choose to grab a legal pistol for responsible use.

Let’s admit the fact that criminals are around us and they could attack ANYTIME and ANYWHERE, even if you are inside your house, you are not considered safe from a determined and ‘cold-blooded criminals.’

With the recent reports of crime involving riding-in-tandem criminals, robbers, kidnappers, carjackers, carnappers and others, we are not really sure when and where these criminals could strike.

Well, some people consider some crimes as isolated cases especially if we normally heard them in daily newscasts and consider them as  ‘kasama na yan sa buhay natin’ (included in our daily lives) but mosf the time, we fail to notice the frequency of the incidents.

This is the very reason, I normally encourage people especially  fellow mediamen to think about their safety, and if so, I can simply suggest to own a legal defense weapon like pistol (revolver is also ok) and a shotgun for home defense and protection.

I remember, when Tiya Dely is still alive, she decided to acquire a shotgun for a very reason, she wanted to be sure about safety and protection at home.

Well, I fully agreed with Tiya Dely with such a smart decision and acquired a shotty inside their house. Shotguns are easy to use and very powerful specially for close quarter battle (CQB).

But if you want to carry a defense weapon outside of your house, pistol (concealed-carry) is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (Glock pistols esp for women).

Owning a gun in the Philippines can be both legal and illegal (let’s admit gun running syndicate is at loose), the very reason a NEW GUN CONTROL LAW has been passed and being implemented by the Philippine National Police.

The primary purpose of the new Gun Law is to reduced if not totally ‘cleanse the society’ with LOOSE FIREARMS (unlicensed/illegal guns) normally used by criminal elements.

Recently, PNP has issued the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the new gun control law – Republic Act 10591 known as Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. It is now being implemented.

PNP has also implemented a six-month-long gun-amnesty period for holders of loose and unregistered firearms, which started also this month (January) and will end on the last week of June 2014.

Under the IRR for the new gun-control law, parts of a gun, such as barrel, frame, receiver will be considered as a firearm.

The IRR also states that applicants for firearms licenses, whether civilians or government workers must submit documents such as court clearances, drug test clearance, neuro-psychiatric clearance, gun safety and responsible gun ownership seminar certificate. Aside from this firearms applicants must also submit police clearance, birth certificate, proof of billing, valid IDs, income tax return (ITR), and the certificate of employment.

The new gun-control law also imposes stiffer penalties for those that will be arrested and found guilty of illegal possession of firearms—eight to ten years for those arrested for small arms such as pistols and revolvers.

Those arrested for illegal possession of class A light weapons such as automatic pistols, rifles, sub-machine guns and assault rifles not exceeding 7.62mm caliber penalty of 10 to 12 years of imprisonment.

While those that will be arrested for Class B weapons such as crew served weapons or rifles and machine guns exceeding 7.62mm caliber faces a penalty of reclusion temporal to reclusion perpetua.

The IRR also states that the PNP may revoke, cancel or suspend the firearms license if the gun owners would be involved in commission of crimes, negligent in possession of firearms, carrying firearms without proper permit and bringing it to prohibited places.

If you want to own a licensed firearm under RA 10591, read the following below:

ARTICLE II

OWNERSHIP AND POSSESSION OF FIREARMS

SEC. 4. Standards and Requisites for Issuance of and Obtaining a License to Own and Possess Firearms. – In order to qualify and acquire a license to own and possess a firearm or firearms and ammunition, the applicant must be a Filipino citizen, at least twenty-one (21) years old and has gainful work, occupation or business or has filed an Income Tax Return (ITR) for the preceding year as proof of income, profession, business or occupation.

In addition, the applicant shall submit the following certification issued by appropriate authorities attesting the following:

(a) The applicant has not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude:

(b) The applicant has passed the psychiatric test administered by a PNP-accredited psychologist or psychiatrist;

(c) The applicant has passed the drug test conducted by an accredited and authorized drug testing laboratory or clinic;

(d) The applicant has passed a gun safety seminar which is administered by the PNP or a registered and authorized gun club;

(e) The applicant has filed in writing the application to possess a registered firearm which shall state the personal circumstances of the applicant;

(f) The applicant must present a police clearance from the city or municipality police office; and

(g) The applicant has not been convicted or is currently an accused in a pending criminal case before any court of law for a crime that is punishable with a penalty of more than two (2) years.

For those who want to carry their licensed/legal guns outside of residence, read Section 7 under the same Article 2 of RA 10591:

SEC. 7. Carrying of Firearms Outside of Residence or Place of Business. – A permit to carry firearms outside of residence shall be issued by the Chief of the PNP or his/her duly authorized representative to any qualified person whose life is under actual threat or his/her life is in imminent danger due to the nature of his/her profession, occupation or business.

It shall be the burden of the applicant to prove that his/her life is under actual threat by submitting a threat assessment certificate from the PNP.

For purposes of this Act, the following professionals are considered to be in imminent danger due to the nature of their profession, occupation or business:

(a) Members of the Philippine Bar;

(b) Certified Public Accountants;

(c) Accredited Media Practitioners;

(d) Cashiers, Bank Tellers;

(e) Priests, Ministers, Rabbi, Imams;

(f) Physicians and Nurses;

(g) Engineers; and

(h) Businessmen, who by the nature of their business or undertaking, are exposed to high risk of being targets of criminal elements.

To read more about about the new gun control law under Republic Act 10591: COMPREHENSIVE LAW ON FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.

Some quarters criticize the New Gun Control Law especially it’s provision on allowing a person to own up to 15 legal guns. I don’t think it is a problem because the issuance will be depending on the qualifications and license type to be issued by the PNP-Firearms and Explosives Division.

The details of this provision can be found in the Article 3 of the New Gun Control Law.

ARTICLE III

REGISTRATION AND LICENSING

SEC. 8. Authority to Issue License. – The Chief of the PNP, through the FEO of the PNP, shall issue licenses to qualified individuals and to cause the registration of firearms.

SEC. 9. Licenses Issued to Individuals. – Subject to the requirements set forth in this Act and payment of required fees to be determined by the Chief of the PNP, a qualified individual may be issued the appropriate license under the following categories;

Type 1 license – allows a citizen to own and possess a maximum of two (2) registered firearms;

Type 2 license – allows a citizen to own and possess a maximum of five (5) registered firearms;

Type 3 license – allows a citizen to own and possess a maximum of ten (10) registered firearms;

Type 4 license – allows a citizen to own and possess a maximum of fifteen (15) registered firearms; and

Type 5 license – allows a citizen, who is a certified gun collector, to own and possess more than fifteen (15) registered firearms.

For Types 1 to 5 licenses, a vault or a container secured by lock and key or other security measures for the safekeeping of firearms shall be required.

For Types 3 to 5 licenses, the citizen must comply with the inspection and bond requirements.

With the implementation of the new gun control law, the government believes they can reduced and eventually eliminate the use of illegal guns, especially the outlaws.

“This not just to standardize the regulation of firearms but will also help us to intensify our campaign in curbing gun-related crimes and establish effective firearm control,” PNP Chief Alan Purisima said.

“I believe that the time and effort that we provided to attain our goal will be worthwhile not only in supporting the RA 10591 but also in aiding the country with stiffer penalties on violations of its provisions, as well, a better understanding of the qualifications to legally possess a firearm,” he added.

As  far as I am concerned, as a media practitioner, it is too early to judge about the new gun control law. I think we need to follow the procedure regardless of whatever profession we have, and I just hope POLITICIANS ARE  NOT EXEMPTED.

My motto: “Better safe than sorry, own a legal gun for self- and home defense, LEGAL GUNS save lives.”

If decided to own a legal gun, watch the video below on the basic of gun shooting: