SC stops new gun policy

FILE PHOTO

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—The Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked the Philippine National Police from implementing its new policy centralizing all firearm registrations and license renewals at its headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, and allowing the police to inspect the homes of gun applicants.

The high court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the PNP’s implementation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The tribunal was acting on the March 21 petition by the group ProGun (Peaceful Responsible Owners of Guns) which had sought a writ of certiorari, prohibition and mandamus as well as a TRO or writ of preliminary injunction.

“The Court required respondent PNP to comment on the petition and granted the application for a TRO effective immediately and until further orders,” according to high court spokesman Theodore Te.

Te said the TRO restrained the PNP from centralizing all firearm applications and renewals at Camp Crame and ordered it to continue accepting and processing licenses and renewals at all police regional offices; utilizing courier services from delivering the firearm licenses; enforcing the “waiver and consent” requirement allowing the PNP to enter a gun applicant’s residence for an inspection, pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulations; and ordered the reinstatement of all PNP satellite offices and previously accredited testing centers for drugs, psychological and medical testing in the regions.

The Supreme Court ordered the PNP to comment on the ProGun petition.