THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
'04 JLlL 29 P 4 :5D 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The proliferation of handguns has caused untoward incidents involving irresponsible 
individuals who lack the knowledge and skills for their safe use, maintenance and storage. 
This bill provides for and obligatory course of inshuction on the safe use, maintenance 
and storage of handguns as a requisite for an individual to acquire a license to possess a handgun. 


HRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
) 
1 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
I 
‘04 JIJL 29 P4 :5c 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING AVAILABILITY OF HANDGUNS ONLY TO PERSONS WITH 
DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL IN THEIR SAFE USE, MAINTENANCE 
AND STORAGE. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress Assembled. 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be cited as “Requirement of Course of 
Instruction in the Safe Use, Maintenance and Storage ofHandguns Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to ensure that handguns 
are available only to persons with demonstrated knowledge and skill in their safe use, 
maintenance and storage. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
(1) The term “handgun” means any firearm designed to be fired by the use of a single 
hand, and any combination of parts from which such a firearm can be assembled. 
(2) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Interior and Local Government or 
his delegate. 
SECTION 4. Regulations for the Issuance of a Handgun Permit. - 
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations providing for the issuance of a handgun permit 
to any individual who - 


(1) has successfully completed a course of instruction in the safe use, maintenance, 
and storage of handguns, offered by a 1 aw enforcement agency under the Philippine National 
Police or an entity designed by such an agency to offer the instruction. 
(2) has trained the age of twenty-one years; 
(3) is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a handgun; and 
(4) has not willfully violated any provision in this Act. 
SECTION 5. Prohibited Acts. - An individual who has not complied with the 
requirements prescribed under Section 4 may not possess a handgun on or after the date final 
regulations are prescribed pursuant to said Section, until the earlier of - 
(1) The first day the individual does not own the handgun; or 
(2) The end of the ninety-day period that begins with the final regulations are so 
prescribed. 
SECTION 6. Penalties. - 
(1) In the case of an individual’s first violation of Section 5, the Secretary shall, after 
notice and opportunity for a hearing, impose a civil fine of not more than TEN THOUSAND 
PESOS (P10,OOO.OO) upon the individual. 
(2) In the case of an individual’s second or subsequent violation of Section 5 ,  the 
Secretary shall, affer notice and opportunity for a hearing - 
(a) impose a fine of not more than P50,OOO.OO upon the individual; and 
(b) seize the handgun. 
SECTION 7. Notice and Hearing. - 
(1) The Secretary shall provide written notice to the individual of any action to be 
taken under Section 6 with respect to the individual and promptly hold a hearing to review the 
action. 


(2) After receiving an action taken under paragraph 6 with respect to an individual, 
the Secretary shall provide written notice to the individual of any decision of the Secretary to 
affirm, reverse or modify the action. 
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(3) Within sixty (60) days after an individual receives notice provided under 
subparagraph 6 of a decision of the Secretary to affirm or modify an action taken with respect to 
the individual, the individual may file a petition in the Metropolitan or Municipal Trial Court 
where the individual resides for review of the action. 
SECTION 8. Deadline for Issuance of Final Regulations. - Not later than one hundred 
and eighty (180) days after the date of the enactment of this Act the Secretary shall prescribe 
final regulations to carry out its provisions. 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter ofi nstruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accord 
SECTION 11. Esfeclivity Clause. - Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved. 
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