Salient features of RA 10591

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 09:59 PM October 05, 2013

Title: An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition and Providing
Penalties for Violations Thereof; or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation
Act

Passage by Congress: Feb. 4 and 5, by the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively

Approval by the President: May 29

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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 the
Philippine 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 income tax return for 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 other law enforcement
agencies.

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

Licensed juridical entity: Corporations, organizations, businesses, including security agencies

and 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 any delinquent
payment and 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

Penal provisions: If the violation of this Act is in furtherance of, or incident to, or in connection
with the crime of rebellion or insurrection, or attempted coup detat, such violation shall be
absorbed as an element of the crime of rebellion or insurrection, or attempted coup detat.
Final amnesty: Persons in possession of unregistered firearms and holders of expired license or
unregistered firearms shall register and renew the same through the final general amnesty within
six months from the promulgation of the implementing rules and regulations of this Act. During
the interim period of six months, no person applying for license shall make a delinquent payment
accruing to the firearm subject for registration.