Senator Ronald Bato Dela Rosa underscored that once passed, the proposed amendment on Republic Act No. 10591 otherwise known as the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013” will be advantageous to all the stakeholders including the government, for it will ensure additional revenue to the administration coffers.
In an interview during the 27th AFAD Defense and Sporting Arms Show Part II in Quezon City recently, Dela Rosa said that the proposed amendments under his Senate Bill No. 1155 entitled “An Act Fixing the Validity Period of the License to Own and Possess, Permit to Carry Outside of Residence or Place of Business and Registration of Firearms, Amending for the Purpose Sections 7 and 19 of Republic Act No. 10591, Otherwise Known as the ‘Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act’.” will account all loose firearms in the country.
“The spirit of that amendment is to account all loose firearms na naglilipana, so advantageous yan on the part of the government dahil nga mababawasan ang loose
firearms. Dadami itong registered firearms na magiging under the control and regulation by the government.” Dela Rosa said.
“After the conduct of our hearing nalaman natin from different sectors na walang disadvantage, lahat ay advantageous on the part of the stakeholders and even sa side ng law enforcement wala kaming nakitang disadvantage,” he further noted.
When asked if the said bill would encourage more gun owners to renew their licenses, the senator affirmed that his proposed measure would prompt license renewal.
“Yes, kasi per observation ng PNP malaki ang nawala, yung hindi nagpa-register ng baril nila because of the very short period (of validity) and mountainous requirements na very discouraging on the part of the gun owners that resulted to a big number of loose firearms,” Dela Rosa explained.
“So para ma-account yun, i-liberalize natin yung process at yung requirements para babalik sila at revenue ito on the part of the government at matutulungan pa natin yung gun owners para hindi maging criminal. We help them to be law abiding citizens,” he continued.
Under the proposed measure, firearms registration validity will become five (5) years from the previous four (4) years. Dela Rosa said it is very practical to set a longer validity period that will be renewed at the same time with that of the License To Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF). This, the neophyte senator added, will fundamentally extend the capability of the gun owner to be responsible and his capacity to defend himself and his loved ones.
Another salient provision under the proposed measure is setting the LTOPF validity also for five years and will be renewed on the date of birth of the license holder. This would serve as an easy breeze to remember and accomplish on the part of the licensee.
Lastly, the amendment also seeks to extend the validity period of the Permit To Carry Firearms from one (1) year to two (2) years. (senate.gov.ph)