Eddie Villanueva (File photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Citizens’ Battle against Corruption party-list Rep. Eddie Villanueva is pushing a 20-firearm cap instead of “unlimited” gun ownership for collectors who would then be compelled to surrender the excess firearms they own to authorities, citing the case of a former president who was able to secure permits for over 300 guns two weeks before his term of office expired.
Villanueva filed House Bill No. 9718, seeking to amend a provision of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, which allows “certified gun collectors” to own and possess at least 15 registered firearms.
Villanueva stressed that allowing a person to have an excessive number of guns legally would “create an unsafe society where guns are just like ordinary commodities for those who can afford.”
He said: “Every year 117,345 people are shot and 42,654 people die from gun violence while 16,651 are murdered and 76,725 people survive gunshot injuries. While the government recognizes the right of qualified persons to use guns for self-defense, the State must also put a limit on individual citizens owning and possessing firearms.”