President Duterte To Control Sale Of Firearms, Bullets To Civilians

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte wants to control the sale of firearms and bullets to civilians.

During his speech at the AFAD Defense and Sporting Arms Show at the SMX Davao held yesterday evening, May 19, the President said he is intent on banning the sale of high-powered firearms and large amounts of bullets to civilians.

These include the sale of these items in gun stores.

“The next DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary) Secretary is a military man, we will to discuss it with you so that we can come up with reasonable ground rules.” President Duterte addressed the audience.

The primary reason for the new policy is to prevent firearms and bullets falling into the hands of the New People’s Army and other rebel groups.

He noted that security guards assigned in the remote areas such as mining sites and plantations are equipped with high-powered guns yet are not oriented to fight a well-armed enemy.

Thus, security guards are prone to surrendering their guns to the rebels.

Because of this rebels would raid these companies to gain more firearms.

President Duterte said the guards whose main job is guarding the property can just be armed with shotguns or 22 caliber weapons instead of M-16s and AK-74.

The President noted that the rebel firepower is sourced inside the country.

Also, those buying bullets, their purchase will be limited to only 20 rounds, enough for firing range purposes.

The control of the sale of ammunition is to prevent these bullets going to the rebels, particularly the New People’s Army.

The President also said that regulation would also apply to gun collectors.

“One too many is also not good,” he said as that there is a chance these firearms can fall into the wrong hands like criminals.

President Duterte noted that there is so much firearms in the hands of people who are not authorized to have them.

He, however, reiterated that the eyed policy is not to make the business difficult for those in the firearms industry but its essence is to protect the Republic.

Source: PIA