PNP, senators clash on rifle ownership

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) and some senators yesterday aired opposing views on civilians owning semi-automatic rifles.

The PNP believes allowing civilians to register 7.62mm-caliber semi-automatic rifles and guns with lower calibers would lead to responsible gun ownership, and would not pose risks to public safety, according to Col. Jean Fajardo, the PNP’s chief information officer.

At a briefing at Camp Crame, she said the PNP leadership believes allowing the registration of semi-automatic rifles would “entice holders to renew their license to own and possess a firearm and their firearm registration.”

Fajardo said there are about 703,703 firearms with expired registration as of Feb. 16.

If the firearms are registered in the PNP’s database, it will be easier to trace the owners who use the weapons in criminal activities, according to Fajardo.

She said the decision to amend the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013, is to harmonize and align the IRR with the main law.

Fajardo explained that the law allows civilians to own rifles. However, the IRR crafted in 2018 included the provision that firearms should not exceed the caliber of a light weapon.

“The definition became broad, covering the use of the term ‘high-powered firearms’ to include rifles, which are allowable under the original law,” Fajardo said.

The amendment to the IRR was submitted to the University of the Philippines Law Center on Feb. 27. The IRR will take effect 15 days after publication.

Civil Security Group director Maj. Gen. Benjamin Silo Jr. echoed Fajardo’s statement, stressing they are just protecting the public’s rights as stated in the law.

“We cannot do otherwise but to implement the different provisions of RA 10591,” Silo told reporters.

Fajardo said strict measures are in place to ensure that only those qualified can own semi-automatic rifles. Among these are passing neuropsychiatric examinations and drug tests.

Mixed reactions

Senators aired mixed reactions to the PNP’s plan to allow civilians to own and register semi-automatic rifles despite incidents of road rage.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri supported the idea, pointing out that 98 percent of crimes were committed with the use of illegal firearms.

He also said those who apply to own long firearms must be required to become military reservists.

Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. said he is also in favor of the plan so long as “there will be no shortcuts, especially the neuro one, we can ensure that these will go to responsible gun owners only.”

Sen. Francis Tolentino said while the law allows civilians to own rifles, “if you look at greater societal concerns, would you allow a neighbor with a machine gun?”

Tolentino said there should be a deeper study of the “peace and order ramifications” of civilians owning rifles.

“Maybe only the sports enthusiasts. There are a lot of road rage incidents. It’s scary,” he added.

Sen. Imee Marcos is against civilians owning long firearms, citing a recent alleged shootout at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.