FIRING LINE: Gunning for amendments

By Robert B. Roque

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is batting for amendments to the 11-year-old Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (Republic Act No. 10591) via the substitute Senate Bill 2895 – which focuses on making gun laws more practical while retaining necessary safeguards.

Last week, he gave it a push as the bill is being fast-tracked to hurdle Congress. But save for former Senate President Migz Zubiri — who has consistently supported gun owners’ rights — it’s unclear whether other senators share the same advocacy.

Still, it’s an issue that merits attention — not only for promoting responsible gun ownership but also for striking a balance between individual rights and public safety.

As a responsible gun owner myself, I believe the key issue among the amendments proposed by Senator Bato is changing the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) from being firearm-specific to owner-specific.

This means the PTCFOR would be issued to the gun owner, allowing them to carry any of their registered firearms instead of being limited to just one. This adjustment simplifies compliance and makes it more practical.

Also, there’s good news for shooting enthusiasts: the bill expands exemptions to the threat assessment requirement for certain professions. Apart from lawyers, us in media, and doctors, the exemption will soon also cover allied medical professionals, reservists, and security officers in critical industries.

And for individuals holding on to unregistered firearms, the bill includes a provision for their voluntary registration, clearing a pathway for unregistered gun owners to comply with the law without immediate penalties. I believe this will encourage accountability and ensure that more firearms fall under government regulation.

Here’s more as the amending bill will also increase the allowable ammunition limit carried by an individual with a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) from 50 to 500 rounds per registered firearm. Sports shooters, on the other hand, would be permitted up to 5,000 rounds.

But while the amendments bring improvements, they are not without their flaws. For instance, shortening the election gun ban to 45 days before and 5 days after the elections may be something for Congress to scrutinize more than twice.

Let’s be mindful that election-related violence comes high in our country, fueled by political rivalries and volatile local disputes. A truncated ban could embolden actors with malicious intent.

Another contentious area that may need to be reviewed is the proposed decentralization of the authority to issue PTCFORs. Currently, this authority lies with the Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ensuring centralized oversight.

But if the amendment succeeds in delegating this to regional directors or the Chief of the Regional Civil Security Unit, don’t we risk inconsistency and parochial favors in permit issuances across the regions? This might be another avenue for corruption.

We all understand that the intention behind SB 2895 is clearly to strike a balance in advocating strict controls with individual rights. Still, reforms must never compromise public safety in favor of convenience especially if the issue is with guns which carry deadly consequences.

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