Sl'rtllh.· 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
<\'lff.;, u, Hl.,*,,,,.tnr~ 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
AUG 22 r 5 :15 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article II, Section 15 provides: 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them. 
Indoor firing ranges are popular among law enforcement and recreational shooters 
because they offer protection from inclement weather conditions and can be operated around the 
clock under controlled environmental conditions. However, many firing range facilities lack 
environmental and occupational contro!,s t?I!p,rotect the health of shooters and range personnel 
from effects of airborne lead, noise, and other potential exposures. 
Exposure to lead dust and fumes at the firing range may harm the health of shooters, 
instructors and maintenance staff. Firing ranges have been recognized as potential sources of 
lead exposure since the 1970s. Lead-containing dust is produced by the combustion of lead-
containing primers, the friction of bullets agl' 
,,:~f the gun barrel, and the fragmentation as bullets 
strike the backstop. Lead dust inhaled into·I~i1ungs is highly bioavailable, with an absorption 
III!: 
':I' 
rate near one hundred percent. One can brea. e in airborne lead at the range and also carry home 
lead dust that settles on the body, clothes, shoes or hair, Lead that enters the body will be stored 
in the blood, organs 01' bones and can affect the brain and nervous system, the ctigestive system, 
the reproductive system, the kidneys and the ability to make blood. Noise is another hazard in 
firing ranges. Too much noise exposure may cause a temporary change in hearing when the ears 
may feel stuffed up or a temporary ringing in the ears also called tinnitus, These short-term 
problems usually go away within a few minutes or hours after leaving the noise, However, 
repeated exposures to loud noise can lead to permanent, incurable hearing loss or tinnitus. 
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This bill seeks to address the health and safety concerns posed by unregulated activities 
in firing ranges.' 
Lw,-
4t'~N--J ,~,~ 
. MIRIAM DEF 
SOR S;::NTIf{J0 
QfiX 
.-
• This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regular Session. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
.~rmlfl' 
(~(ftrt (If t~. j.m,brv 
First Regular Session 
) . 
'13 
AUG 22 P5 :15 
1 
2 
SENATE 
S.No. 1353 
~ 
______________________ 
--'R~F"".:('_.·!"'~I~\C.!.'En IW:U- \. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REGULATING INDOOR FIRING RANGES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Indoor Firing Range 
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Regulatory Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term-
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(A) 
"Firing range" is a specialized facility designed for firearms practice; and 
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(B) 
"Secretary" refers to the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government. 
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SECTION 3. Requirements for an Indoor Firing Range. - An indoor firing range must 
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observe the following requirements-
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(A) 
Copper jacketed bullets must be used; 
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(B) 
Wet mopping or vacuuming must be used instead of dry sweeping; 
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(C) 
Proper design and operation of the firing range must be conducted and it must 
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have a separate ventilation system; 
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(D) 
The cleaning and maintenance work at the firing range should be completed by 
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individuals trained in lead protection procedures; 
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(E) 
There must be a written protocol for range maintenance; 
, " 
.~ . 
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(F) 
Minors shall not be allowed in the vicinity of firing ranges; 
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(G) 
Persons present in the firing range such as, but not limited to, shooters, 
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maintenance staff, and guests must wear ear muffs or ear plugs when present inside the 
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establishment; and 
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, 
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(H) 
Such other requirements as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior and 
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Local Government. 
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SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
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effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations 
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for this Act. 
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SECTION 5. Penalties. - The Secretary is empowered to establish and assess penalties or 
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fines against owners and operators of indoor firing ranges for violations of this Act or regulations 
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adopted under this Act. In no circumstance will any penalty or fine exceed PI0,000.00 for each 
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violation. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 7, Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly, 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulatioll, 
Approved, 
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