Online Petition on Philippine House Bill 6676 and Senate Bill 3375
Gungho Cowboy
11 Sep 2009
The Philippine Airsoft Community is now circulating an online petition regarding the Bills in the Philippine Congress (patterned after the US Congress), their objections in the provisions that will affect airsoft. There are some glaring provisions that will surely make it tough for airsoft and gun owners in the Philippines. Airsoft is not classifed as a "toy" but rather as a "special" air gun by the local police, and thus, covered by existing firearms laws and implementing rules and regulations which have very strict provisions.
The proposed bills, when enacted into law, will even put stiffer penalties to owners. If you want to support their efforts, you can sign the online petition. The House Bill, originally called HB 6658 is now called HB 6676 with no amendments and will proceed to its second reading after committee hearings had been conducted. We do not know yet the status of SB 3375 and perhaps the Philippine airsoft community can give us more updates.
To: Philippine Congress and Senate
To all members of the Philippine Congress and Senate:
We, legitimate gun owners, Shooting Sports enthusiasts, Airsoft and
paintball players, and Firearms dealers and manufacturers, join hands
with all freedom-loving people in registering our vehement opposition
to the passage of House Bill No: 6676 (originally House Bill No: 6658)
authored by Congressmen Rodolfo W. Antonino, Pedro P. Romualdo, Antonio
V. Cuenco, Eufrocino M. Codilla, Sr., Raul V. Del Mar, Carmelo F.
Lazatin, Amado S. Bagatsing, Roque R. Ablan, Jr., Junie E. Cua, Arnulfo
P. Fuentebella, and Candido P. Pancrudo. In the Senate, the counterpart
bill is Senate Bill No: 3375 authored by Senator Antonio F. Trillanes
IV. These bills propose ludicrous amendments the Philippines’ Firearms
law, P.D. 1866, as amended.
We know that these bills are being fast-tracked and went through
House committee hearing in a record time of 30 minutes flat without any
opportunity for the invited resource speakers and stakeholders in the
Philippine shooting community and industry to voice out their concerns
and objections to the flawed provisions of the bills. A week later,
without any consultation or participation of stakeholders and the
public, despite loudly voiced objections, the Bill was approved by the
House for 2nd Reading. We likewise know that there is now a twin effort
in the Senate to do the same.
There are numerous grave concerns regarding legal and
Constitutional flaws in these bills which have to be addressed. Also, a
lot of the penalized acts stated in these Bills are already addressed
by existing laws, namely PD 1866 as amended.
Consider the following:
1. The definition of “firearm” has been improperly expanded to include
those which should not be considered as such. Airsoft guns and all gas,
spring operated Pistols and rifles are now classified as TRUE FIREARMS,
requiring licensing and Permit to carry just like regular firearms.
Replicas and Toys are not true firearms.
2. If you are in a group and one of you is caught with a firearm or
part thereof (with or without your knowledge) ALL OF YOU will be
presumed to be in illegal possession of firearms, and shall be
accordingly all charged. This is in violation of the Constitutional
right to be presumed innocent, and due process.
3. Penalties have been uniformly INCREASED to Life Imprisonment for
illegal possession and/or manufacture of firearms or light weapons, or
6-18 years for ammunition, and other lighter offenses. "Ammunition" is
defined, among others, to include BLANK AMMUNITION, and NOXIOUS LIQUID
AND GAS??!! Increasing penalties, no matter how heavy, does not solve
crime. Moreover, increasing penalties will not make law enforcement
more efficient.
4. "Light weapons" are now defined and prohibited, which includes
any weapon capable of holding a DRUM magazine, which would include
practically all semi-auto rifles, including rimfire 22's, as well as
legitimate centerfire rifles.
5. The crime of illegal possession of firearms shall now be
considered as a SEPARATE AND DISTINCT penalty if any other crime is
commmitted in the same act. So you could be charged TWICE for the same
act and be slapped with TWO
PENALTIES.
We in the Philippine shooting community, airsoft community, firearms
industry, firearms NGO’s, as well as civil rights stalwarts would not
want such haphazardly and poorly drafted Bills to pass on as
legislation for the sake of expediency. We wish to assert our right to
be heard.
The peace and order problem in the Philippines is not a gun problem. We
already have enough laws on firearms. Rather, the problem is a
lackadasical and inefficient enforcement of the laws and inept
prosecution of criminals. The hopelessness of the poverty suffered by
our people, social inequality and injustices, as well as lack of
education are the root causes of crime in our country. These societal
factors, when left unchecked as now, contribute more to crime rather
than inanimate instruments such as guns.
Rather than concern ourselves with guns, let us instead concentrate
on alleviating the plight of our millions of starving and uneducated
Filipinos, the improvement of basic government services, stamping out
corruption and inefficiency in government, and strengthening justice
and the rule of law. These are the real problems facing the Philippines
today.
With upcoming elections in 2010, it is sincerely hoped that our
legislators would represent the interests of the people rather than
please those who happen to be currently occupying the corridors of
power in Malacanang, as well as foreign anti-gun interests.
Salus populi est surpema lex. Ultimately, the law of the people, is the supreme law.
NO TO HOUSE BILL NO. 6776 (formerly HB 6658) and Senate Bill No: 3375!!!
Sincerely,
The Undersigned"