Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.__§ 78.3.

Introduced by Honorable Roger Gaviola Mercado

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Recent news on the tragedy involving the shooting of innocent school
children has warned all us of on the dangers of allowing ordinary citizens to
acquire or possess a firearm.

While it is true that regulation of gun possession could possibly
prevent the happening of the sad incident, any lapses on a regulation could
mean the unnecessary loss of lives. This has been shown by the numerous
incidents of indiscriminate shooting of firearms in the past including some in
Europe and recently in the United States.

In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is hereby being earnestly

sought.
a

R GAVIOLA MERCADO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._6783

Introduced by Honorable Roger Gaviola Mercado

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE OR POSSESSION OF GUNS OR FIREARMS OF ANY
KIND BY ORDINARY CITIZENS OTHER THAN LAW ENFORCEMENT
PERSONNEL AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby the policy of the State
to prohibit ordinary citizens from holding or using guns or firearms of any
kind.

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. For purposes of implementing this
Act, the following terms are hereby interpreted to mean as follows:

a) Firearm — any tool or gadget that can fire a projectile of any kind

of such speed wvhich could have’s deadly effect on its target.

b) Gun ~ any firearm that can fire a projectile of any kind of such

speed which could have a deadly effect on its target.


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c) Possession — the act of holding or keeping a gun or firearm
regardless of its ownership.

d) Law enforcement personnel — shall refer to the Philippine
National Police including its authorized or deputized agents.

e) Members of the Armed Forces — shail refer to the members of the
army, navy and air force personnel.

f) Private Security Personnel — shall refer to licensed security guards
of licensed security agencies.

SECTION 2. It is hereby prohibited for any individual to hold,

possess or keep in their homes or private premises a gun or a firearm

of any kind. This provision however does not apply to the following:

a) Members of the Philippine National Police and other law
enforcement personnel;

b) Members of the Philippine Army;

c) Members of the Philippine Navy;

d) Private Security Personnel:

©) Other national government agencies that is necessary for
investigation and law enforcement purposes as determined by the
president, the speaker of the House of Representatives and the
Senate.

SECTION 3. The Philippine National Police or its delegated agencies

are hereby tasked to implement the provisions of this Act.


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SECTION 4. implementing Rules and Regulation. The Department of

Interior and Local Government is hereby tasked to draft the

implementing rules and regulation to implement the provisions of this

Act.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, rules,

regulation that are inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed or

modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the official gazette or in at least two newspapers of general

circulation.

APPROVED,