Gun owners go to SC over new rules

Gun owners have asked to the Supreme Court to stop the Philippine National Police from enforcing certain provisions in the firearms and ammunition law as well as various orders and rules which they said were unconstitutional. RADYO INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Gun owners have asked to the Supreme Court to stop the Philippine National Police (PNP) from enforcing certain provisions in the firearms and ammunition law as well as various orders and rules which they said were unconstitutional.

These included provisions that will allow the police to enter a gun applicant’s resident for inspection and to disqualify an individual with a pending criminal case from getting a firearms license.

Two separate petitions were filed at the Supreme Court by Progun (Peaceful Responsible Owners of Guns) Inc., and two gun owners Eric Acosta and Nathaniel de la Paz, representing Go Act (Gun Owners in Action) on March 21 and March 25, respectively.

Progun wants the high court to restrain the PNP from further implementing the centralization of all firearm applications and renewals at its headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City and instead order PNP to accept applications in its regional offices.

It said the PNP gravely abused its discretion when it ordered the centralization of all firearms requirements, testing and licensing at Camp Crame.

The group said there were 1.5 million licensed gun owners in the country and this requirement will force all of them to come to Camp Crame.