Cops to use SMS to check gun licenses

MANILA, Philippines - Police officers will use short messaging system (SMS) or text messaging to verify the ownership of firearms whose bearers are accosted during the election period, a Philippine National Police official said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta, chief of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Division (FED), said the use of text messaging for policemen manning checkpoints would surely help them in immediately verifying the gun ownership of certain firearms.

Petrasanta said the SMS program would be launched within the month in preparation for intensified implementation of checkpoints to ensure honest, peaceful and orderly elections.

“We will soon launch this SMS program for members of the PNP to allow them to verify real-time,” he said, noting that the program will be in operation round the clock since it is computerized.

Petrasanta said if the person is not the rightful owner of the firearm he or she will be charged with illegal possession of firearms. He clarified that only the gun’s registered owner can keep it and only a person with a permit to carry a gun outside residence (PTCFOR) can bring a gun outside his house.

He warned gun owners that they will need a PTCFOR even if their gun is in their car since “cars and other vehicles are not considered an extension of your home.”