Implementing rules of new gun control law ready

MANILA, Philippines - The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 10591, also known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, are now ready to be submitted to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima for approval.

Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta, director of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO), said President Aquino signed RA 10591 into law last May 29 and the PNP and other stakeholders were given 120 days to prepare the IRR as provided for by law.

Petrasanta explained that the counting of 120 days started not in May but in July, the time RA 10591 was published in newspapers.

Under the new law, Petrasanta said a gun owner would have to register the firearm. The registration of the firearm shall be renewed every four years.

He said that the gun owner would also be required to apply for a license to possess firearms, similar to a driver’s license, before he or she would be allowed to acquire firearms.

The new law requires gun owners to renew their licenses every two years on or before the date of expiration.

If a person has four firearms, he will have to register each firearm. The owner of the four guns would have to apply for only one license to possess firearms.

The PNP said if the gun owners fail to renew their licenses, the police would revoke them and confiscate the firearm.

Failure to renew the registration of the firearm on or before the date of expiration would authorize the PNP to revoke the license of the firearm and the gun would be confiscated or forfeited in favor of the government.

Failure to renew a license or registration within the periods mandated by the new law on two occasions shall cause the holder of the firearm to be perpetually disqualified from applying for any firearm license.

The application for the renewal of the license or registration may be submitted to the PNP FEO within six months before the date of expiration of such license or registration.

RA 10591 also provides for carrying firearms outside of residence or place of business and gun owners must have a permit to carry (PTC) firearms.

The law states that a qualified person may apply for a PTC, if he or she is under actual threat or is in imminent danger due to the nature of his or her profession, occupation or business.

RA 10591 also specifies professionals who are considered to be in imminent danger due to the nature of their profession, occupation or business.