AFP: Civilians owning high powered guns a ‘plus’ for reserve force efforts

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said the new policy allowing civilians to own semi automatic high powered firearms will help the military in its efforts to enhance the reserve force.

“On one hand, that’s another plus because we are really enjoining a lot of reservists to join us in our greater challenge nga of external defense,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said at a press briefing.

“If nasa batas na po iyan at legal naman po ang paghawak po ng armas and they know responsible gun handling, then that will not be posing any issues,” she added.

(If that is already in the law and the handling of weapons is legal and they know responsible gun handling, then that will not be posing any issues.)

On Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it made some minor amendments to the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

“Puwede na pong magmay-ari ang isang private citizen ng small arms na 7.62 mm pababa po provided na hindi po ito capable ng fully automatic burst of fire,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said.

(A private citizen can now own small arms of 7.62 mm and below provided that it is not capable of fully automatic burst of fire.)

Gunless Society of the Philippines president Norman Cabrera said the country should not follow the gun culture in the United States as it could lead to mass shootings.

“Nakikita natin ang result ng ganung policy sa Amerika, doon sa mga shooting na nangyayari sa kanila. Kung yung ganung culture ay dadalhin natin dito sa Pilipinas, ganung problema rin ang haharapin natin,” he said.

(We see the result of such a policy in America through the shootings that are happening there. If we bring that culture here in the Philippines, we will face the same problem.)

Fajardo said there are safeguards to prevent abuse in civilians’ ownership of semi-automatic high powered firearms.

“Kung inaalala po natin ay maaaring maging subject for abuse po, hindi po (If you are worrying that it can be a subject for abuse, no),” she said.

“May enough safeguards na iniligay po doon para hindi po basta-basta kung sinuman po ang makapag-avail po nitong privilege to possess and own small arms po,” she added.

(There are enough safeguards that have been put in place so that not just anyone will be able to avail of this privilege to possess and own small arms.)

Among the safeguards are the qualifications set to own these guns like Filipino citizenship, legal age, employment, and requirements such as income tax returns, police clearance, psychiatric and drug tests, as well as training.

Fajardo added that the amended policy will promote responsible ownership as firearms holders will be encouraged to register their high powered guns. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News