Keeping unlicensed guns may land you in jail for 30 years

Erring gun owners and holders of unlicensed firearms, beware.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) signed on Monday, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of a new measure, which imposes stiffer penalties for illegal possession of firearms.

PNP Director General Alan Purisima approved the IRR of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition and Providing Penalties for Violations.

“This is not just to standardize the regulation of firearms, but will also help us to intensify our campaign in curbing gun-related crimes and establish effective firearms control,” Purisima said after signing the IRR.

Besides introducing harsher penalties, the PNP chief said the new law would lead to “a better understanding of the qualifications to legally possess a firearm.”

He said the PNP conducted dialogues with concerned sectors before approving the new rules and regulations on gun ownership to ensure that it would be “crafted fairly and with transparency.”

“The consultation of the PNP with the stakeholders was conducted to support the creation of IRR based on the suggestions and recommendations of the public who are directly affected by the law,” Purisima said.

Director Gil Meneses, chief of the Civil Security Group, expressed confidence that involving stakeholders in developing the IRR would help the police enforce the law properly.

Under the new law, individuals who are found guilty of keeping unlicensed guns could face at least 30 years imprisonment.

It also set stricter standards for owning firearms and obtaining a license to possess a gun.

RA 10591 stated that gun holders should be a Filipino citizen who has not been convicted of a crime, at least 21 years old and a taxpayer.

It said gun owners, including juridical entities, are allowed to buy and keep only small firearms. /INQUIRER