Senator Raffy Tulfo. Photo courtesy of Senate of the Philippines.
Senator Raffy Tulfo is pushing for stricter firearm ownership rules, including mandatory inspection of a gun owner’s storage facility before a license to own and possess firearms is granted.
Tulfo said Friday that existing gun laws should be revisited, particularly rules on how firearms are kept inside homes and other private spaces.
“Dapat bago mag-issue ng LTOPF ang Philippine National Police ay ma-inspect muna nila kung ang licensed owner ay mayroong secured na lugar na mapaglalagyan ng baril niya,” Tulfo said.
His proposal followed the August 18 school shooting in Zamboanga City, where authorities said a student used a government-issued firearm belonging to his father, a Customs police officer.
Tulfo said the incident highlighted possible gaps in firearm storage rules, especially when weapons can be accessed by people other than the licensed owner.
He also backed heavier penalties for gun owners whose firearms are improperly or unlawfully used by another person. “Kapag ikaw ang licensed owner at nagamit ang baril mo sa hindi tamang paraan, dapat kasuhan ka, makulong,” he said.
Beyond gun control, Tulfo called for tighter safeguards on children’s access to gadgets, social media and online games, amid concerns over exposure to harmful content.
He also urged the Department of Education to strengthen school security, including the possible use of handheld metal detectors and programs that would help parents and teachers identify warning signs of violent behavior among students.