THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to petition the Supreme Court (SC) to overturn its earlier decision and allow the police to inspect the homes of licensed gun owners to determine how the weapons are kept.
Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla said the DILG is working with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on a petition seeking authority for the National Police (PNP) to inspect the homes of firearm owners as part of firearm licensing and registration.
‘The Supreme Court ruled that we cannot conduct inspections inside homes. I will file a petition with the Supreme Court to make it legal for the PNP to inspect the homes of legal firearms owners to ensure that they are kept properly,’ he said.
According to Remulla, the three recent school-based shooting incidents shared similarities involving irresponsible gun ownership and safekeeping, which allowed the perpetrators to gain access to firearms.
‘There has to be a right for the State to inspect the gun owners’ premises kung tama ang storage nila ng baril,’ he added.
Remulla said existing policies already require firearm owners to use safety containers and comply with other safekeeping measures. However, the PNP currently lacks the legal authority to inspect gun owners’ residences to verify compliance with these requirements.
He emphasized that the proposed inspection must have a clear legal basis, noting that firearm ownership in the Philippines is a privilege that carries corresponding responsibility and accountability.
‘Remember, owning a firearm in the Philippines is not enshrined in the Constitution. It is not a right but a privilege. And that privilege has to come with responsibility, and that responsibility has to come with accountability, especially with the PNP,’ Remulla added.
‘We should have the power to inspect without a warrant all gun owners and how they store their guns,’ he continued.