A senator laid out his legislative agenda on firearms policy before industry stakeholders at the 32nd Defense and Sporting Arms Show (DSAS) at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, balancing expanded gun rights with stricter accountability for negligent owners.
Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, who spoke at Part 1 of the DSAS annual gathering of the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers of the Philippines (AFAD), spearheaded two priority bills: Senate Bill No. 1555, which would strengthen self-defense protections; and Senate Bill No. 1897, a revised set of amendments to the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Under SB 1555, forced or illegal entry into a home, vehicle or place of business would create a legal presumption of unlawful aggression-shifting the burden of proof away from the defender.
“Sa oras ng panganib,ilang segundo lamang ang mayroon ang isang tao para kumilos,” Zubiri said, stressing the bill is not a license for violence but protection for those unlawfully attacked.
SB 1897-previously vetoed but now revised-proposes expanded exemptions for threat assessment certificates, higher ammunition caps (250 rounds for regular license holders; 2,500 for sports shooters), a shortened election gun ban (45 days before and 5 days after), simplified ownership transfers upon death or incapacity, and a one-year amnesty for license registration or renewal. The amendments also aim to cut red tape in defense manufacturing under the Self-Reliant Defense Posture program.
Addressing the recent shooting incidents, Zubiri drew a sharp line between responsible owners and negligent ones.
“This was not the fault of responsible gun owners,” he said, blaming the tragedy on owners who failed to secure their firearms under Section 9 of RA 10591. He pledged to impose criminal liability and stiffer penalties for such negligence, arguing the current penalty of prision correccional “hindi po ata ito katumbas ng buhay ng mga batang namatay.”
“We must make those gun owners accountable. “They didn’t pull the trigger, but their negligence paved the way for the tragedy to happen,” Zubiri stated.
DSAS, organized by AFAD headed by Alaric Topacio, is the longest and premier firearms exhibition in the country. The trade show began last July 22 and ends on July 25 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex.