Philippine Gun Amnesty Now In Effect
Owners of unlicensed firearms in the Philippines can now rejoice as police finally approved the regulations of a year-long amnesty for the benefit of owners of unregistered guns that was approved by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as early as December last year.
“The [implementing rules and regulations] stipulates that the basic qualifications of applicants must be: Filipino citizens who are at least 21 years old and judicial entities authorized by law to possess firearms. Likewise, an applicant for a license to possess unregistered or loose guns shall first secure a Permit to Transport (PTT) before carrying the said firearm and ammunition from its location.”
Aside from obtaining the PTT, what are the other rules? By the numbers then:
- After securing the PTT, the applicant shall properly wrap and label the firearm and ammunition and submit them to FED, CSG or the police office where the PTT was issued.
- The FED, CSG or the concerned police office shall then submit the firearm to the nearest PNP Crime Laboratory for stencil tracing and test firing, and for forensic ballistics sample at the expense of the applicant.
- After the stencil has been taken and the test firing conducted, the firearm shall be transmitted back to FED, or to the concerned CPO, PPO, and PRO that shall issue the order of payment for licensing.
- The applicant shall then file with the ED or the police office concerned his/her duly accomplished application form together with the ballistics test-firing and stencil certificate, firearms bond, Special Bank receipts (SBR) and other required documents.
What are the requirements that an amnesty applicant must submit to police?
- Proof of citizenship/birth certificate
- Proof of identity/name, proof of address/billing
- Proof of qualification/profession/vocation
- Police and NBI clearances
- Neuro-psychiatric evaluation
- Drug test result
- Certificate of training/seminar on gun handling and safety
These are precisely the same requirements sought from a license applicant who legitimately acquired his firearm from authorized retailers.
This amnesty is unique in that it extends to the citizen who wants to return to the fold of the law the opportunity to legitimize his ownership of such small arms as machine pistols, submachine guns, and assault rifles, as well as hunting and sporting rifles larger than .22 caliber, although the licensing of the same is wholly discretionary on the part of the chief of the Philippine National Police. Given the fair number of automatic weapons previously legitimized under past amnesty programs, it’s a fair bet that the Chief, PNP will be liberal in approving such applications.
This makes the Philippines probably the only country in southeast Asia that permits its citizens to possess such firepower. Even the United States itself has very strict rules regarding who can own full-auto weapons.
This is not to say that owning an automatic weapon is an affordable proposition in this country. As I noted in a previous entry, such weapons cost an arm and a leg even when legally purchased from authorized gun stores. Add to that the expensive cost of ammunition and you’ll soon realize that ownership of such firearms is feasible only to the wealthy.
For those who can afford an automatic weapon, the firearm of choice is a M4 carbine, derived from the M16 assault rifle that is the standard-issue infantry rifle of the Philippines’ armed forces. The wide availability of 5.56 x 45 mm. ammunition, spare parts and accessories, as well as the familiarity of Philippine armorers with the M16 and its direct impingement system contribute to its popularity among aficionados.
How much will the amnesty cost?
- PHP 2,000 for the license to possess firearms, which include a .22 caliber rifle, shotgun (all gauges), and all handguns (pistols/revolvers), from .22 caliber, to .38 caliber, or 9 mm.
- PHP 3,000 for the license to possess high powered firearms or rifles and all other handguns.
The amnesty period will expire on June 13, 2008 November 13, 2008.
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Philippine gun control advocates will no doubt be displeased at the government’s generous offer:
“But Nandy Pacheco of the Gunless Society said an amnesty would put more guns in the hands of more people.
““We want guns to disappear. And then you will have something like this where anyone can surrender guns and have it licensed. The criminal liability attached to the gun is erased. Gun control should be absolute,” Pacheco said.
“He said citizens holding guns had no place in “civilized countries.”
““In the solving the problem, we make the problem worse. We must admit the truth, that guns are meant to maim and kill. The fewer the people who have them, the better,” he said.”
I don’t know if Mr. Pacheco realizes why many Filipinos want to own guns in the first place. According to The Belmont Club:
“Much of the motivation for getting a private firearm in is rooted in a distrust of the police. In the BBC article, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expresses the desire to restrict gun ownership to the police and the military. But “when asked about corrupt policeman linked to crime gangs, she promised to “jail the rascals in uniform”. Very few people believe that assurance, least of all “movie stars, judges and politicians” and so they continue to get their private weaponry.”
It’s interesting to note that President Arroyo never repeated her 2003 remarks about tightening Philippine gun ownership laws again.
Another group that will not like the amnesty? Gun shop owners themselves:
“On the other hand, [Association of Firearms Dealers president] Hector Rodriguez Jr. thinks frequent amnesty programs simply send the wrong signal. He says people are encouraged to buy guns from shady sources— expecting to have them legalized when convenient. He goes on to say, that this practice actually helps sustain illegal gun dealers. Of course, this may be a self-serving statement coming from a businessman protecting his market— but he does have a good point.”
I think gun is good if used in a good way:
Protecting yourselves and loved ones against attack of the lawless people who are carrying deadly weapons and guns too.
Some police or military are using their guns as a threat to civilians when not in uniform. Sometimes they are the one who is not protecting the people. Only few are good policemen and soldiers in the Philippines, only those who believe in God and love the country.
Not all the times citizens are duly protected by the state. Considerig the ratio of the presence of authorities to secure its citizens. With guns, responsible citizens feel more safe and would be more effective to defend itself from lawbreakers and terrorists. Defense is natural, instinctive and voluntary.
That has always been my critique of gun-control policies aimed at disarming lawful citizens like what Mr. Pacheco and his group advocates.
The state can never be in all places at once. To deprive an individual of his most powerful means of defending himself is to deprive him a basic human right – self-defense.
Experience and studies in the USA have clearly shown that the more heavily armed the general population is the less problems there are with corrupt police, violent criminal acts, home invasions and, the more polite society in general is. Those cities and counties in the US with the strictest gun laws have the worst problems with crime. In Washington DC, the conditions are so bad that a young man between 17 and 30 is 50% more likely to die of as the result of a violent crime than is a similar age group of American soldiers in Baghdad. The point is simple. Those who would prey on the defenseless are unlikely to prey on the well armed.
reading all your comments really gave me a clear realization on what we should do with our guns… true… its not safe anywhere considering our society nowadays… even police cannot be trusted… so i carry both… licensed and unlicensed…
It is easy for those anti-gun societies, liberal groups,etc to spout, preach their beliefs. Have you considered the reality of our society? Formerly I was never a gun owner. It was only by one grim experience that made me realize that my life, my wife and my children are my responsibility.
All because one arrogant, self-serving, stupid member of the AFP beleieved that he owns the road and because he carries a gun he can do what ever he wants.
When a gun is already pointed at your head and you feel the end of that cold steel on your skin. Then you will realize that reason/words/intellect being “civilized” will mean nothing. The only thing that concerns you is how to save the lives of your wife and kids. My wife was even pregnant at that time.
I always say this to people that would listen, “It is better to own a gun and not use it but needing a gun but not having it.”
Be a responsible gun owne!.
We are tax paying & legal voters of this country.
Bark on the goverment not on the citizenry.
First I would like to say that I am a U.S. citizen.I have been in the military and law enforcement until retirement.Being in the Philipines I find that Westerners are an easy mark for terrorists and the lawless peacekeepers.I don’t have trust in the Philipino government to provide protection to non citizens,they can’t provide protection to their own judges and attys.
I find that a non Philipino can not own a gun even for self protection.This sends the signal to me that they are encourageing the terrorist to kidnap non Philipinos,for extortion.The country is asking for tourists to come to this fine country,but if we can’t protect ourselves,and can’t count on the government for protection,I would recommend that any foreign investors to set down and take a close look at how their investments will be protected.Is there really a question as to why there are so many licenses being applied for?
Unfortunately, Philippine law prohibits aliens, including legal permanent residents, from owning firearms, unlike US federal law.
hello, i frankly do not believe in gunless society,,since the beginning of gun amnesty annouced bu pres.aroyo,,there had been an increase in house burgkaries in our area,every household here have bought their pistols to protect their families and properties.
if you are a house robber would you rob a house with liscenced firearm?,,,it is better to rob the whole house of someone with out legal firearm,because once the house owner shoot you,your mommy can file charges,,is that ok??
i am very happy that the government have change the way how to acquire firearm for home-defense use,,unlike before it seems like only those highly-wealthy families can acquire it..
it seems like the common filipinos were deprived from thier rights to defend their families and little wealth.
in my experience was not it a wealth to have children,specially beautiful daughters and some little jewelries,appliances little electronics,expensive cellphones and cameras inside you house?anf some little savings i ,ean money in the house..
i have seen many cases pf house burglaries where in there where casualties and deaths.
we have to enjoy it now people,it is not very hard now to acquire firearm to protect our families and properties,but please be a responsible owner of firearm
BY THE WAY,I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE ORGANIZATION CALLED ”PROGUN” hello people are you still there,if you are still moving on people please reply,you have mmy email add here..progun….please reply
i wonder where is the organization called PROGUN now???/people please reply,is the organization still there??
the armscor email add armscor@info.com.ph is not responding
In our present society, owning a gun if you can is a must. Why I said this, just read our newspaper and you’ll find the answer. Until our law enforcement could bring to an end or at least minimized bank robberies, holdups, carnappings, abusive law enforcers, rapes, burglar, and many more lawlessness activities; then and only then we can talk of gunless society. I have a gun in my possession for more than ten years for three reasons: to protect my self, my family, and my property. During these years of having a gun I never used it to threat or intimidate anybody, to show off, and much more fire shots during New Year. I do use my gun only on a very occasional practice shooting. My office Director one time had seen me cleaning the gun when he visited me in my house, and he said “ayokong magkaroon ng baril kasi baka makapatay ako,” then I told him “eh di sana lahat ng pulis nakapatay na. To cut short to possess a gun you must be responsible otherwise you will be just like those people I described above. I think the gunless society movement should look on the other side of the coin.
hi , last year there was a speach during the 08 gun show @ SM Megamall, about amnesty to priviously registered firearms that fail to re-new thier licences. what happen to this, does / will it materialized? in this 09 gun amemnesty . During the past amnesties, the goverment gives only amenesty to those not priviously registered FA’s which they considered loose. but theres a lot of Gun owners that failed to register thier FA’s due to high cost of fee’s and penaties (which they also considered loose) .
I was born in the Philippines, and I am an American citizen for sometime now. I have a permit to carry I firearm. This is one of many freedoms that I love about the United States(Best Country in the World). Please don’t deny or make it nearly impossible for the law abiding Filipinos to their God given right to defend themselves against danger!!!That was one of many reasons why I left the Philippines. THE LACK OF BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS! GOD BLESS THE USA.
What would you do if someone break open your door with long sharp machete. You peep from your room shaking and not knowing the intentions of these evil men. As they walk nearer towards your room. Your eyes can only find electric fan, chair, books. Even if you have knife inside your room. Would you fight face to face with these men with no future in their mind?
I feel safe inside my room when I sleep with my licensed pistol beside me. All my doors are locked and with some trusty dogs to warn me. All I have to do is to fire warning shot to scare these men away. And if they dont. The next shots will be aiming at them.
I support the PNP amnesty program, atleast PNP will be able to monitor these firearms. Only insane person will use licensed firearms for robbing banks, holdups, crimes, etc. Thats why to be able to avail a license from PNP, you should pass psychiatric test and all other requirements.
I dont think that the reason why we own guns because the PNP cannot protect us. Even hiring a personal bodyguard is not 100% that they can watch you 24/7. Can the police go inside your house anytime just to check if your safe and doing fine? Its your house and you have to protect your own domain.
For the tourists, they are not familiar with the people and laws here. They might over react and use their guns if they are permitted to carry firearms. That is why we welcome friendly tourist, a tourist with a gun is not friendly. And to avoid kidnappings from terrorist group. Unless you carry submachine gun like rambo. Your pistol is useless against terrorists with high powered machine guns and rocket launchers. And 2ndly for sure you will be outnumbered. All you have to do is to follow local travel advices.
By the way, if you know the law here. You dont protect your property using a gun. You can only protect your life and your family. When you shoot a thief and their intentions was just to steal. You are still criminally liable even your gun is licensed.
Also let us not forget, we are born here. It is not right to compare US and talk shi*t to our mother land. Speaking of human rights, you just wait until you are man-handled like a woman there in US.
@michael j. masigan. In your situation, even if you have gun during that moment. You cant do anything with a gun pointed at your head. Maybe its a blessing in disguised that you dont own a gun that time, otherwise you might not be around writing your story here. There are lots of hot headed drivers. Two hot headed drivers equals to disaster. So even if I do have PTCFA. When I encounter street jerks, driver jerks. I dont shout at them or create scene. Just be humble and back off. I dont even wanna know whos the driver. If he is really a jerk, dont waste your time and risk your life. For sure he will be dealt by other street jerks someday.
As a foreigner here in the philippines, who’s come to start a business, with a pregnant wife… there is simply no choice, unfortunately, but to acquire a firearm for self defence. It’s just too likely that my looks and my money make me a target for the lawless who feel they have a right to prey on others. Unfortunately this also makes my pregnant wife a target. To not have the means to protect her and our as yet unborn child? Unacceptable. To not have the means to protect myself and ensure that my child DOES have a father like he or she deserves? Unacceptable. Unfortunately this leaves me with no choice but to aqcuire a gun. If it is against the law for me to do so, because I am not a filipino citizen, then unfortunately I will have to break the law, which of course some could argue makes me as lawless as any other “criminal”, but sometimes (especially as the philippines knows, eg. the Marcos era) the law is what is really wrong. Gun control that is too restrictive never works. The real criminals will always be able to arm themselves, so disarming the average law-abiding person is certainly NOT a good way to go… Just my 2 cents worth…
-S.
i’m a victim of kidnapping here in mindanao. i didn’t know what particular group did it to me. there were muslims (because few of them spoke maranao) and there were also christians (because of the rosary beads tied in the tip of the guns). I wasn’t protected by the police because the detachment didn’t know whats going on and they were drunk. The army were also occupying the videoki bar few meters away from our home… my only protection was a “dull bolo” that i still have to locate. who will protect us? whoever is president in this country – please help us protect ourselves. i agree with the basilan priest who told me to have one “deadly” weapon to protect myself. Body guard of our political war lord are not interested in protecting us. I have guns… i don’t mind if these are licenced or not – they just drive out lawless elements in this province. in our province licences are immaterial, we just want to live!
DO YOU WANT ONLY THE BAD GUY’S TO HAVE GUN’S?????THINK ABOUT IT…WE HAVE THE RIGHTS TO DEFEND OUR LIVES,OUR FAMILY,OUR CHILDREN…..im a law abiding citizen who have a licensed pistol and ptcfor,because i believe that karate or martial arts are actually cannot protect your self,your family,your children..what if some badguys with guns trying to kill or rape ur family members?do you think you dont need one???those gunless society’s are impossible!!!!
just want to correct the amnesty rates..i personally applied for amnesty and just paid 750 for a handgun and 1000 for my m4 carbine.and was told that the amnesty is until oct 31 09 only
owning agun is one thing,learning how to use it properly and accurately is another.regular range sessions are necessary for you to know ur gun.knowing ur gun means how knowing its sight adjustment, knowing how to recover it in cases of malfunctions,jams,squibs,etc and best of all learning how to shoot it accurately.you must know your gun.
the gun is martial art of the 21st century so it is vital to own one given the present society.without one ,you will be an easy prey..i have my own private arsenal so bad guys beware my house is a fortress.and to the good guys,,sorry!my guns are all legal and licensd
and to mark rebano.i am a ptcfor holder myself FOR 3 YEARS.its also issued here in ph not juSt in US.
i think they should make guns illegal like in canada there in the philippine, by making it legel for police officers and military offcials only but cannot bring it home with them. i blame our currupt government for not doing this. why cant we just live with being a peacemaker.
also why cant we make taser guns legal instead or peper spray if anyone wants a weapon to protect themselves.
[...] to pay in order to enjoy the benefits of this program are even much less than that charged by the previous amnesty campaign as noted by this blog: “[PNP public information office chief Leonardo Espina] said gun owners [...]
Owning a gun, i think is the basic principle for survival, being a female, i think i have the right to protect my being, women that despise gun ownership are just mis-informed about the true and well meaning of responsible gun ownership, shoot straight to disable not to kill, i still believed in the quote “life for a life” so
just maim those bastards..
I am an OFW, as to protect my family as well as my properties which i suffered to establish for a long time, i buy my own gun cal.40 which they told it was very effective man’s stopper with less recoil.Licensed firearms is an effective weapon against bad minds.law enforcers cannot protect us from time to time. if someone rob my house i will not hesitate to shoot him to death, i am not a trigger happy person, i sacrifice to be away from my family for a long time abroad but in one blink of an eye somebody will get all of those things which i work for a long time, one thing i can say to those bad guys i will also own an m4 carbine soon, so i can say to you all bad guys there “make my day”
I don’t have a criminal record, never been arrested, I live in Miami, But I would Like to relocate to the Philippines in 2010, can I quire a license to cary a concealed 9 MM in your country. & what are the procedures & fees??
Mel
ILANG AMNESTY NA PO BA YUNG PINATUPAD MULA NG 2000 hanngang 2010>PLEASE PKI2LUNGAN LNG PO AKO.
Dalawa na ang documented ng blog na ito. I suppose you can ask the PNP FED for more info.
Hi Mel, first of all are you a Philippine citizen? Philippine law says that only citizens are authorized to own firearms here.
hoy! gago ang presidente na hindi magpahintulot sa mga tao na magkaroon ng baril!
hatagi r agud ko ninyo ug uyab nga naay pusil!!!
hatagi ra
gud ko ninyo ug uyab nga naay pusil!!!
The main reason why those people who have positions in the Philippine government want to put a ban on all guns is for one reason and one reason only. and that is so they can do what ever they want, abuse their power, and get richer by means of corruption, and citizens of the country won’t be able to do anything about it.
My advice to every citizen is buy your guns and tell them that you are tired of living in fear anymore. It is time to turn the table and let them afraid of us. By doing so, we will be able to stop abuse of their power, and we can send them a message that enough is enough.
Let us all stand up and fight for our rights. We all have the right to defend and protect ourselves and others.
I have read a lot of comments from people who are against citizens who wants to own a gun. I have to say, You are the most un educated of all. The Government can put a ban on all guns and bad guys will still get their guns no matter what the situation is. Bad guys don’t care about the law,that is why they are criminals.Gun ban only affects the innocent citizens who’s main intention of owning a gun is to protect themselves and their family.
Gun ban will only make criminals happier because they know that good citizens have nothing on them for protection.Bad guys can do what ever they want. they can kill, rape, commit corruptions just like those people who have positions in the Government such us the police, and the military as well.
Only those who have something to hide are afraid of armed citizens, because they know that once every citizen are armed, they will be able to tell them ” NO ” to their criminalistic attitude.
If someone can make the bad guys lay their arms down then that will be the time i will put my .45 pistol to rest.
If you think having a gun is dangerous, then you must attend a gun safety seminar, and please,,,, pay attention.
If you think having a gun is bad, then don’t buy a gun,,, guns are for the “bad guys only”. it will help them KILL the good guys easier
If you want the phillipines to be Gun-Less Country,,,, tell it first to the rebels they might consider it =]
And for the benefit of the other people, “Peacemaker” is a gun =]
to Mr. Nandy Pacheco of the Gunless Society, i will always include you and your whole family into my prayers hoping you won’t be a victim like other people who commented here.
I’m sorry to say…. i own a gun for the safety of my love ones…. i live in a life full of happines and joy with them… so if anyone who will try to hurt them during the night where evil is in most dominant…. i will not hestitate to blow their brains out… hindi ako pinagaral ng mga magulang ko para sirain ang buhay ko sa walang kakwenta kwentang bagay… hindi ako bumili ng baril dahil gusto ko lang…. let us accept the fact that we are living in a dangerous time… survival of the fittiest…. pag mahina ka… kawawa ka… and most of all… I HATE COPS!!!… I DONT TRUST THEM…