BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – The Civil Security Unit Region 6 has expressed cautious optimism in response to recent changes that permit civilians to own semi-automatic rifles, pending further guidelines for implementation.
“We are still awaiting the guidelines from the National Civil Security Group and the National Firearms and Explosives Office. Based on their announcements, we have 15 days to wait until the amended Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the firearms law are disseminated to us,” said Police Lieutenant Richard E. Lumbres, chief of the Firearms and Explosives Section of the Civil Security Unit 6 at the Police Regional Office 6.
Lumbres highlighted the positive aspect of the changes for gun enthusiasts, especially those who had previously stored their firearms at police stations for safekeeping.
“Many firearms, previously deposited for safekeeping at police stations and owned by private individuals, could potentially be renewed,” he said..
Lumbres pointed out other potential advantages, such as a decrease in unregistered firearms due to stricter regulations and an increase in government revenue through licensing fees.
He also assured the public that safety protocols, including neurological examinations and other assessments to determine an individual’s eligibility for gun ownership, would remain intact.
“Our campaign against unregistered firearms is expected to improve,” Lumbres said.
However, a police officer who asked not to be identified raised concerns about the risks associated with civilian ownership of semi-automatic rifles.
He warned that inadequate regulation could present significant challenges for law enforcement, especially in confrontations involving suspects armed with such weapons.
“It’s extremely dangerous if the regulations and processes are not properly established. For law enforcement, encountering a suspect armed with a semi-automatic rifle, while we are equipped with less powerful weapons, could escalate the risk of harm, leading to more injuries or casualties,” he explained.
Colonel Jean Fajardo, spokesperson for the Philippine National Police (PNP), noted that the amendments stem from a thorough review of Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
She clarified that civilians could now apply for licenses to own semi-automatic rifles under specific classifications and regulations.
These amendments, proposed by a technical working group within the PNP, are pending publication by the University of the Philippines Law Center and are expected to become effective 15 days after publication.
Republic Act 10591, initially enacted in 2013, allowed civilian ownership of high-powered firearms, but concerns raised by various PNP units in 2018 led to the formation of the technical working group and subsequent revisions./PN
