CEBU – Gun owners have until November 14, 2008 to register their firearms with the Philippine National Police, as the one year amnesty period for loose or unlicensed firearms also ends on that day pursuant to Executive Order No. 585-A.
However, homemade guns or those known as “paltik” guns are not qualified for registration, said SPO3 Zenaido Sanches of the Firearms, Explosive and Security Agencies/Guards Supervisory Section.
Zenaido said their office will only accept turn-in firearms should the owners willingly surrender the same without any liability on their part.
Low-powered firearms such as caliber 38, Caliber 22, 9 MM pistol and shotgun have a license fee of P3,000. Meanwhile, high-powered firearms such as caliber 45 pistol, Caliber 14 rifle and M16 armalite rifle have a license fee of P5,000.
EO 585-A was issued after crime data analysis showed a direct correlation between the number of loose firearms on the streets and the number of crimes committed with the use of firearms.
EO 585-A accounts to 105, 000 loose firearms nationwide which can be hardly traced to its owner when used in committing crimes.
The law seeks to allow PNP to effectively regulate gun ownership in the country.
As of September this year, there are already 9,000 private individuals and juridical entities that have availed of the amnesty period.
The Firearms and Explosives Division has received a total 9,247 applications for licensing of loose firearms.
PNP has accounted for 2,596 loose firearms and arrested 2,243 persons for the last six months for unlicensed gun possession. – Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JMO (THE FREEMAN)