PNP for ‘firearms control’ vs. total gun ban

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police is leading toward a nationwide “firearms control” program than a total gun ban, as calls mount against the absolute ban of carrying firearms for civilians.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said on Tuesday that PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa was more in favor of firearms control, wherein legitimate gun owners would be subjected to “certain controls,” instead of prohibiting them entirely from carrying guns.

Asked what these “controls” were, Espina said these would only be determined in the upcoming consultative summit on June 4 as part of the PNP’s National Firearms Control Program.

Various stakeholders are expected to have a dialogue to come up with the next steps after the election gun ban is lifted come June 9, Espina said.

A group, calling themselves A2S4 Coalition, rejected calls for a total gun ban.

The coalition, composed of members from gun dealers, government officials, civilians, and even the media, said in their manifesto, “The Filipino should be allowed to carry a legitimate and licensed firearm even outside his or her household or place of business.”

“Together with this privilege, we uphold responsible gun ownership…[and] oppose any attempts to permanently prohibit or ban the privilege of a Filipino to carry a licensed firearm.”

The manifesto was signed by members of the coalition, including Nereo Dionisio, vice president of the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers of the Philippines; Judge Jaime Santiago, president of the Metropolitan and City Judges Association of the Philippines, and other individuals and organizations.

Meanwhile, Nueva Ecija Representative Rodolfo Antonino also rejected plans to extend the election gun ban beyond its deadline.

But Espina said all these concerns would be tackled at the upcoming firearms summit.

“We never said it’s [the matter of the gun ban] is a unilateral decision. We’ll go with the decision of the majority for the greater good,” he told reporters.

Source: Inquirer