SALIENT FEATURES OF THE NEW

FIREARMS LAW (RA 10591)

ATTY. NICASIO SALAMERA

Passage by Congress:
Feb. 4, 2013 and Feb. 5, 2013 by the Senate andHouse

of Representatives, respectively
Approval by the President:
May 29, 2013

Declaration of policy :
Recognizes the right of qualified citizens to self-defense

through the use of firearms; regulates ownership,

possession, carrying, importation, manufacture; stops
proliferation of illegal firearms and illegal manufacture,
among other things.

Gun ownership by a juridical entity:

SEC-registered corporations, represented by the President or any officer

based on a board resolution; local government units and security

agencies qualify as juridical entities subject to additional requirements as
may be required by the Chief of thePhilippine National Police.
Who may get a license:
Applicant must be a Filipino citizen, at least 21 years old and has gainful

work, occupation or business or has filed an incometax returnfor the

preceding year as proof of income, profession, business or occupation.
Repository of all firearms records:
The PNP-FEO (Firearms and Explosives Office), to include imported and

locally manufactured firearms and ammunition.

Carrying of firearms outside residence or place of business:

The

following are considered to be in imminent danger due to the nature of their profession,
occupation or business: lawyers, CPAs, media practitioners, cashiers, bank tellers, priests,
ministers, rabbi, imams, physicians and nurses, engineers and businessmen.

Formulation of implementing rules and regulations (IRR):

The

PNP Chief formulates the IRR within 120 days after effectivity of the law

Authority to import:
A

document issued by the Chief of the PNP authorizing the importation of firearms, or their
parts, ammunition and other components.

Authorized dealer:
Any

person, legal entity, corporation, partnership or business entity duly licensed by the FEO.

Authorized manufacturer:
Any

person, legal entity, corporation or partnership duly licensed by the FEO.

Confiscated firearm:
A firearm that is taken into custody by the PNP, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug

Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and all otherlaw enforcementagencies.

Confiscated firearm:
A firearm that is seized by the PNP, NBI, PDEA and all other law enforcement agencies.

Licensed juridical entity:

Corporations, organizations, businesses, includingsecurity agenciesand local government units,

which are licensed to own and possess firearms in accordance with this Act.
What may be licensed by qualified citizens or licensed juridical entities:
Only small arms.

How can one retain ownership of high-powered firearms?

Registration of unregistered firearms and renewal of expired licenses, through a final general

amnesty, without making anydelinquent paymentand facing a penalty. Private individuals who
already have licenses to possess Class A light weapons shall not be deprived of the privilege to
continue possessing the same and renewing the license.
Possession of ammunition:
License to possess up to 50 rounds for each registered firearm

How many licenses can be applied for?

Subject to the requirements set forth in this Act and payment

of required fees to be determined by the Chief of the PNP, a

qualified individual may be issued the appropriate license
under the following categories:
Type 1 license maximum of 2 firearms
Type 2 license maximum of 5
Type 3 license maximum of 10
Type 4 license -maximum of 15
Type 5 license allows a citizen, who is a certified gun collector, to own

and possess more than 15 firearms