PNP to issue licenses for gun owners

MANILA, Philippines - Gun owners are now required to secure a license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF), a document similar to a driver’s license, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

Starting today, the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) main headquarters in Camp Crame and regional police offices will start accepting and processing LTOPF applications.

The PNP–FEO stopped processing the renewal of firearm licenses – which are specific to each gun – last June 30 on orders of PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima, who emphasized the need to implement Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunitions Regulation Act.

FEO director Chief Superintendent Virgilio Moro Lazo said President Aquino signed RA 10591 into law in May 2013 while Purisima signed its implementing rules and regulations last Nov. 24, 2013.

“There will be no renewal of firearm licenses. With the new law, RA 10591, a gun holder needs to secure a license to own and possess firearms, after which he or she can now register his or her firearm,” Lazo said.

FEO records showed there are a total of 1,714,950 registered firearms under the names of 488,398 persons, meaning some gun holders have more than one registered firearm.

There are five types of LTOPFs: Type 1 allows the holder to own a maximum of two guns; 2, five guns; 3, 10 guns; 4, 15 guns; and 5 means the holder is a certified gun collector and is allowed to own more than 15 guns.