Alcover files gun ban exemption bill

CEBU, Philippines - Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD) Party-list Rep. Pastor Alcover Jr. filed House Bill No. 6873 seeking for gun ban exemption for specific class of persons during election period.

HB No. 6873 entitled, “An Act Establishing the Class of Persons Exempted From Gun Ban During Election Periods and to Ensure that the Maintenance of Peace and Order Shall Remain the Sole Responsibility of the Philippine National Police.”

“When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns!” said Alcover.

In his explanatory note, Alcover said that the Commission on Elections mandated ‘Gun Ban’, every election period which is usually against responsible gun owners with firearm (FA) license.

But, criminal elements and loose (unlicensed) firearm holders are not covered by it resulting in a situation where licensed gun holders have become easy preys of lawless elements.

“Reality shows that the imposition of Gun Ban is biased against and prejudicial to responsible gun owners but does not serve the purpose of curbing loose firearms nor has it deterred the activities of criminals and other lawless elements,” said Alcover.

Under the proposed measure, the following shall be exempted from the ‘Ban’: regular uniformed officers and members of the PNP; commissioned and non-commissioned officers, and enlisted personnel (EPs) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; officers and EPs of the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology; officers, members, and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and regular officers, members, and agents of other government agencies performing law enforcement and security functions provided that they are in the regular plantilla of these agencies, and must wear the prescribed uniforms with their name, rank, and serial number clearly shown.

The proposed measure also provides that while said persons are in off-duty, they shall carry a valid and unexpired gun license, permit to carry or mission order or letter order.

Other persons to be given exemption are members of private security, investigative, and protective agencies while in actual performance of their respective duty in specified place/s or area of duty, wearing the agency’s prescribed uniform, with a valid license to exercise security profession and a valid firearms license of the agency they are employed; members of the judiciary; all elected public officials; and bonafide holders of a valid and unexpired gun license and permit to carry.

In filing HB 6873, Alcover said that the task of implementing peace and order, during the election period, shall only be with the PNP. —/FPL (FREEMAN)