The House of Representatives Committee on Public Order and Safety, led by Santa Rosa City Representative Dan Fernandez, gathered a technical working group (TWG) on Monday to discuss possible amendments to Republic Act (RA) 10591, also known as the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.”
Bills proposed as amendments include House Bill (HB) 11141, HB 893, and HB 9718.
HB 11141, authored by Fernandez, aims to revise specific provisions of RA 10591 that are considered too strict, making it excessively challenging for private citizens to legally own or use firearms.
The proposed amendments cover provisions related to firearm standards, licensing for ownership, carrying firearms outside residences, ammunition possession, firearm manufacturing, registration, and use in sports and competitions.
Resource persons from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) suggested that changes to the law should strike a balance between ensuring public safety and protecting the rights of licensed firearm owners.
“These amendments will also ensure that the law remains responsive to the current and future needs of licensed citizens as well as the industry,” Police Brig. Gen. Ericson Dilag said.
Lawyer Martin Ontog, from the Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational Crime, expressed his support for the proposed amendments. He noted that the changes align with international firearm standards, but he also cautioned that some amendments could potentially weaken regulations, thereby contributing to the growth of the black market.
“This committee should prioritize a robust public safety, monitoring mechanisms in adherence to global standards to prevent the Philippines from becoming a hub for transnational weapons trafficking,” he added.