PNP wants jail term for delinquent gun owners

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is pushing for gun owners who are delinquent in renewing their firearm licenses to be jailed for six months.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said there were over 500,000 firearms with expired licenses but were previously registered with the Firearms and Explosives Division (FED).

In an interview with The STAR, Verzosa said the PNP has already submitted its proposal to the National Police Commission (Napolcom) for guns whose license has not been renewed within six months to be considered as loose firearms and their registered owners jailed for six months.

He noted that the proposal needs legislation, and the PNP, in coordination with the Napolcom, will closely work with the House of Representatives and Senate.

At present, Verzosa said firearm holders with expired licenses ignore their responsibility, knowing they will just pay a fine for not renewing their firearm license on time.

Verzosa earlier announced that the PNP is working on guidelines to support their plans of requesting the local government units and local police to conduct house-to-house visitations to remind gun holders to renew their expired firearm licenses.

At present, the PNP estimates there are 1.1 million loose firearms in the country and more than half of the figure represent firearms with expired licenses, while the rest are in the hands of threat groups, criminals and the general population.

He earlier issued Letter of Instruction Kontra Boga, which stated that the PNP’s target is to reduce the number of loose firearms by at least 300,000 a month nationwide.– Cecille Suerte Felipe