FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. NO. 2583 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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Section 5 of Article II of the Fundamental Law makes the maintenance of peace 
and order, the protection of liberty and property and the promotion of the 
general welfare the primordial duty of the State. 
The recent rise in crimes involving the use of loose firearms has placed the 
Philippines at Rank Five in the crime statistics for crimes committed with the use 
of firearms in the Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the 
operations of the Criminal Justice System. The occurrence of the "Maguindanao 
Masacre", an act of gross inhumanity perpetrated through the use of firearms has 
drawn the attention of the world and has earned for the Philippines the tag of 
being one of the most dangerous places for journalist in the world. 
In this light, this bill seeks to put a stop in the illegal manufacture, importation, 
sale and disposition of firearms and curb the rise in crimes involving the use of 
firearms. In the exercise of the police power of the State, this law aims to deter 
their commission by providing stiffer penalties and providing stricter standards 
and regulations for firearm ownership and possession. 
For the aforecited reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly so ght. 
MANNY ILLAR 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC. OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
FIRST Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2583 
Introduced by Sen. Manny Villar 
AN ACT 
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FURTHER AMENDING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1866, AS AMENDED BY 
REPUBLIC ACTS NOS. 8294 AND 9516, BY PROVIDING FOR STIFFER PENALTIES 
FOR CRIMES RELATING TO FIREARMS, LIGHT WEAPONS AND AMMUNITIONS, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. - Section 1 of Presidential Decree No. 1866, as amended by Republic Act 
No. 8294, is hereby further amended to read as follows: 
SECTION 1. Unlawful Acquisition, or Possession of Firearms, Light Weapons and 
Ammunition - The penalty of PRISION MAYOR IN ITS MEDIUM PERIOD shall be 
imposed upon any person whom shall unlawfully acquire or possess a firearm. The term 
firearm refers to any handheld or portable weapon that expels, is designed to expel a 
bullet, shot, slug or any projectile which is discharged by means of expansive force of 
gases from burning gunpowder or other form of combustion which includes revolvers, 
, 
pistols, rifles, carbines, shotguns, or any similar instrument or implement. 
The term however, does not apply to those used as toys where plastic shots and 
paintballs are discharged, including 'antique' or 'relic' firearms as defined by the United 
Nations (UN) firearms protocol, and firearms deactivated or demilitarized as classified by the 
Philippine National Police, except those devices mentioned in section 4 (5A) of this Act. 
The penalty of one degree higher shall be imposed upon any person who shall 
unlawfully possess any firearm if any or combination of the following conditions are present: 
a) The firearm is loaded with ammunition or inserted with a loaded magazine; 
b) The firearm is fitted or mounted with laser or any gadget used to guide the shooter 
hit the target such as thermal weapon sight (TWS) and the like; 
c) The firearm is fitted or mounted with sniper scopes, firearm muffler or firearm 
silencer; 
d) The firearm is accompanied with an extra barrel; 
e) The firearm is converted to be in any type such as pistol to rifle; and 
f) The firearm is converted to be fired semi- automatic or full automatic. 
The penalty of RECLUSION TEMPORAL TO RECLUSION PERPETUA shall be 


imposed if three (3) or more firearms are unlawfully acquired or possessed by any person. 
The penalty of RECLUSION PERPETUA shall be imposed upon any person who shall 
unlawfully acquire or possess light weapons. 'Light weapons' refer to any firearm mounted 
with 20mm rifled barrel and/or grenade launchers not exceeding 40mm, or weapons 
designed for use by two (2) or more persons serving as crew, or those which may be carried 
and used by a single person which shall include drum-fed and belt-fed submachine guns, 
light and heavy machine guns, and portable anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns, recoiless rifles, 
portable launchers of anti-aircraft missile systems, grenade launchers, and mortars. A light 
weapon shall be lawfully acquired or possessed exclusively by the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other authorized law 
enforcement agencies in the performance of their duties; Provided, that private individuals 
who already have licenses to possess light weapons upon effectivity of this Act shall not be 
deprived of the privilege to continue possessing the same and renewing licenses thereof, 
and shall be required to comply with the other applicable provisions of this Act. 
The penalty of PRISION CORRECCIONAL IN ITS MAXIMUM PERIOD shall be 
imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess ammunition for firearms 
and light weapons. The term 'ammunition' refers to any bullet, shot, slug or any projectile 
which can be discharged by means of expansive force of gases from burning gunpowder or 
other form of combustion, or loaded shells for rifles, carbines shotguns, revolvers, pistols and 
other firearms and Iigf1t weapons; Provided, that if a violation of this paragraph is committed 
on the occasion of the unlawful acquisition or possession of a firearm or light weapon by the 
same person, the violation of this paragraph shall be absorbed by the unlawful acquisition or 
possession of a firearm or light weapon. Provided further: that the penalty of PRISION 
MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM PERIOD shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully 
possess a major part or component of a firearm or light weapon. The major parts or 
components of a firearm or light weapon are the barrel, slide, cylinder, frame or receiver, and 
the bolt assembly. The term also includes any part or kit designed and intended for use in 
converting a semi-automatic burst or automatic firearm. 
The penalty of PRISION MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM PERIOD shall be imposed upon 
any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess armor-piercing ammunition, incendiary 
ammunition, and tracer ammunition or any combination thereof, including bullets containing 
high explosives not exceeding 20mm. 
The penalty of PRISION MAYOR IN ITS MEDIUM PERIOD shall be imposed upon 
any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess ammunition for light weapons exceeding 
20mm containing high explosive. 
If the use of an unlicensed firearm or light weapon is inherent in the commission of a 
crime where the penalty imposable is more than six (6) years and one (1) day, it shall be 
considered as a special aggravating circumstance; Provided, that if the crime committed with 
the use of an unlicensed firearm or light weapon is penalized by law with a maximum penalty 
lower than that prescribed in this section, the penalty to be imposed shall be PRISION 
MAYOR IN ITS MAXIMUM PERIOD. Provided, furthermore, that when the act is committed 
with the use of an unlicensed firearm or light weapon by two (2) or more persons who have 
acted together, the maximum penalty for the offense committed shall be imposed; Provided, 
finally, that if the crime is committed by the person without using the firearm or light weapon 
unlawfully possessed or acquired, the violation of this Act shall be considered as a distinct 
and separate offense. 
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The penalty of PRISION MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM PERIOD TO PRISION MAYOR IN 
ITS MEDIUM PERIOD shall be imposed upon the owner, president, manager, director or 
other responsible officer of any public or private firm, company, corporation or entity, who 
shall willfully or knowingly allow any of the firearms owned by such firm, company, 
corporation or entity to be used by any person or persons found guilty of violating the 
provisions of the preceding paragraphs, or willfully or knowingly allow any of them to use 
unlicensed firearms or firearms without any legal authority to be carried outside of their 
residence in the course of their employment. 
The penalty of PRISION CORRECCIONAL AND A FINE OF TWENTY THOUSAND 
PESOS [P20,OOO] shall be imposed upon any person who is licensed to own a firearm but 
who shall carry the same outside his residence without any legal authority therefor. 
SECTION 2. - Section 2 of Presidential Decree No. 1866 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
Section 2. Unlawful Manufacture, Sale or Disposition of Firearms Light 
Weapons or Ammunition, or Parts Thereof, Machinery, Tools or Instruments Used or 
Intended to be Used in the Manufacture of Firearms, Light Weapons, Ammunitions, or Parts 
thereof - The penalty of RECLUSION TEMPORAL TO RECLUSION PERPETUA shall be 
imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully engage in the manufacture, sale or 
disposition of firearms, light weapons or ammunition, or major parts of firearms, light 
weapons or ammunition, or machinery, tool or instrument used or intended to be used by the 
same person in the manufacture of firearms, light weapons, ammunition, or major part/s 
thereof. 
The possession of any machinery, tool or instrument used directly in the 
manufacture of firearms, light weapons, ammunition, or major part/s thereof by any person 
whose business or activity does not lawfully deal with the manufacture of such article, shall 
be prima facie evidence that such article is intended to be used in the unlawful/illegal 
manufacture of firearms, light weapons, ammunition, or part/s thereof. 
The penalty of PRISION MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM PERIOD TO PRISION 
MAYOR IN ITS MEDIUM PERIOD shall be imposed upon any laborer, worker or employee 
of a licensed firearms dealer who shall unlawfully take, sell or otherwise dispose of parts of 
firearms, light weapons or ammunition which the company manufactures and sells, and other 
materials used by the company in the manufacture or sale of firearms, light weapons or 
ammunition. The buyer or possessor of such stolen parts or materials shall suffer the same 
penalty as the laborer, worker or employee . 
.If the violation or offense is committed by a corporation, partnership, association 
or other juridical entities, the penalty provided for in this section shall be imposed upon the: 
directors, officers, employees or other officials or persons therein who knowingly and willingly 
participated in the unlawful act. 
SECTION 3. Section 5 of presidential decree nO.1866, as amended by Republic Act No. 
8294, is hereby further amended to read as follows: 
Section 5. Obliteration or Alteration of Firearms Identification - The penalty 
of PRISION CORRECCIONAL to PRISION MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM PERIOD shall be 
imposed upon any person who shall obliterate or alter without authority the name of the 
maker, model, serial number, or replace the barrel, slide, frame or receiver and bolt 
3 


assembly, including its individual or peculiar identifying characteristics essential in forensic 
examination of a firearm or light weapon. 
The PNP shall place these information, including its individual or peculiar 
identifying characteristics into the database of integrated firearms identification system of 
PNP the Crime Laboratory for future use and identification of a particular firearm. 
Possession of any firearm or light weapon with an obliterated or altered 
identification is presumptive evidence that the possessor performed the obliteration or 
alteration. 
SECTION 4. There are hereby inserted Sections 5-A, 5-B, 5-C, 5-D, 5-E, 5-F, 5-G, 5-H and 
5-1 in Presidential Decree No. 1866, to read as follows: 
Section 5-A Use of an Imitation Firearm or Light weapon - an imitation 
firearm or light weapon used in the commission of a crime shall be considered a real firearm 
or light weapon as defined in this Act and the person who committed the crime shall be 
punished in accordance with Section 1 of this Act. 
The term 'imitation firearm' refers to any air, gas or spring operated gun, toy 
gun, replica of a firearm or light weapon, or other device that is so substantially similar in 
coloration and overall appearance to an existing firearm or light weapon as to lead a 
reasonable person to believe that such imitation firearm or light weapon is a real firearm or 
light weapon. 
Section 5-B Firearms, Light Weapons or Ammunition in Custodia Legis -
During the pendency of any case filed in violation of this Act, seized firearms, light weapons, 
ammunition, or partls thereof. Machinery, tools or instruments shall not be disposed of, 
alienated or transferred but shall be in the custody of the court; Provided, that if the court 
decides that it has no adequate means to safely keep the same, the court shall authorize the 
PNP to hold such firearms, light weapons, ammunition, or part/s thereof, machinery, tools or 
instruments in its custody during the pendency of the case and to produce the same to the 
court when so ordered: Provided further, that no bond shall be admitted for the release of the 
same: Provided finally, that any violation hereof shall be punishable by PRISION MAYOR IN 
ITS MINIMUM PERIOD TO PRISION MAYOR IN ITS MEDIUM PERIOD. 
Section 5-C Confiscation and Forfeiture - The imposition of penalty for any 
violation of this Act shall carry with it the accessory penalty of confiscation and forfeiture of 
the firearms, light weapons, ammunition or part/s thereof, machinery, tools or instruments in 
favor of the government. 
Section 5-D Liability for Planting Evidence Concerning Firearms, Light 
Weapons And Ammunition or Part/s Thereof - The penalty of PRISION MAYOR IN ITS 
MAXIMUM PERIOD shall be imposed upon any person who shall willfully and maliciously 
insert, place, and or attach, directly or indirectly, through any overt or covert act, any firearm, 
light weapon or ammunition, or part/s thereof in the person, house, effects, or in the 
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immediate vicinity of an innocent individual for the purpose of implicating or incriminating the 
person, or imputing the commission of any violation of the provisions of this Act to said 
individual: Provided, that if the person found guilty herein is a public officer or employee, 
such person shall suffer the PENALTY OF RECLUSION PERPETUA. 
Section 5-E Issuance, Revocation, Cancellation and Suspension of 
License and Permit - Every firearm must be registered with the Firearms and Explosives 
Office of the Philippine National Police (FEO-PNP) and duly approved to be considered 
licensed. The PNP Chief or his authorized representative shall issue licenses or other 
permits to any qualified natural or juridical person who shall acquire, possess, deal in, sell or 
dispose firearms, light weapons, ammunition, or partls thereof. A permit to carry a firearm 
outside of residence may also be issued by the PNP Chief or his duly authorized 
representative to any qualified person in meritorious cases as may be determined by him and 
on the basis of the implementing rules and regulations promulgated by him for the purpose. 
Likewise, any person who shall manufacture or repair firearms, light weapons, 
ammunition, or major part/s thereof shall first secure a license to engage from the PNP Chief. 
Firearms and light weapons with expired licenses which have not been 
renewed for a period of six (6) months from the date of expiration thereof shall be 
surrendered, confiscated or forfeited in favor of the government after due process. Provided 
that, an omission to renew the license within a period of six (6) months from the date of 
expiration on two (2) occasions shall cause the holder of the firearm or light weapon to be 
perpetually disqualified from applying for any firearm license. 
Section 5-F. Requisites for Obtaining a License to Own and Possess 
Firearms. - A person may acquire a license to own and possess a firearm or ammunition 
upon compliance of the following basic requirements: 
1. Must be a Filipino citizen; 
2. At least twenty-one (21) years old; 
3. Has gainful work, business or employment as supported by an Income Tax 
Return for the preceding year; 
4. Has not been a respondent/accused in a criminal case before the 
prosecution or courts for a crime. An acquittal in the criminal case before 
the prosecution or courts shall qualify the individual to acquire a license; 
5. Has not been convicted of any criminal offense; 
6. Has 
passed 
the 
psychiatric 
test 
by 
the 
PNP 
accredited 
psychologist/psychiatrist; 
7. 
Has passed drug test administered by DOH accredited drug testing 
laboratory; 
8. Has attended a gun safety seminar handled by the PNP; 
9. Has submitted the pertinent legal documents for the acqUisition/possession 
of the firearm or ammunition (deed of sale, affidavit of transfer, etc); 
10. Has paid the required licensing fees; and 
11. Such other requirements which may later be provided in the I RR. 
Section 5-G Grounds For Revocation, Cancellation or Suspension of 
License or Permit - The PNP Chief or his authorized representative may revoke, cancel or 
suspend a license or permit on the following grounds: 
5 


(a) Commission of a crime or offense involving the firearm, light weapon, 
ammunition, or major part/s thereof; 
(b) Conviction by a crime involving moral turpitude or any offense where the 
penalty carries an imprisonment of more than six (6) years; 
(c) Loss of the firearm, light weapon, ammunition, or any partls thereof through 
negligence; 
(d) Carrying of the firearm, light weapon, ammunition, or major part/s thereof 
outside of residence or workplace without the proper permit to carry the same; 
(e) Carrying of the firearm, light weapon, ammunition, or major part/s thereof in 
prohibited places; 
(f) Dismissal for cause from the service in case of government officials and 
employees; 
(g) Commission of any of the acts penalized under Republic Act No. 9165 
otherwise known as the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002', 
(h) Submission of falsified documents misrepresentation in the application to 
obtain a license or permit; and 
(i) Such other grounds which may later be specified by the PNP Chief. 
, 
Section 5-H Failure to Notify Lost/Stolen Firearm or Light Weapon and 
Change of Address - The penalty of ARRESTO MENOR AND A FINE OF TEN 
THOUSAND PESOS (P 10,000.00 ) shall be imposed upon any licensed firearm holder who 
fails to report to the Firearms and Explosive Office of the Philippine National Police (FEO-
PNP) that the subject firearm has been lost or stolen within a period of thirty (30) days from 
the date the said firearm has been discovered lost or stolen. 
Likewise, a penalty of ARRESTO MENOR and a fine of TEN THOUSAND 
PESOS (P10,000.OO) shall be imposed upon any person holding a valid firearm license who 
shall change his/her residence indicated in the license card and fails within a period of thirty 
(30) days from said transfer to notify the FEO-PNP of such change of address either 
personally, or by registered mail, electronic mail or facsimile. 
Section 5-1. Illegal Transfer/Registration of Firearms. - It shall be unlawful to 
transfer possession of any firearm to any person who has not yet obtained or secured the 
necessary license or permit thereof. 
The penalty of ARRESTO MAYOR MAXIMUM TO PRISION CORRECCIONAL 
MEDIUM shall be imposed upon any person who shall violate the provision of the preceding 
6 


" 
/ 
paragraph. In addition, he shall be disqualified to apply for a license to possess other 
firearms and all his existing firearms licenses, whether for purposes of commerce or 
possession, shall be revoked. 
Provided further, that if government-issued firearms, light weapons, 
ammunition or major parts of firearms or light weapons are unlawfully disposed, sold 
or transferred by any law enforcement agents or public officer to private individuals, 
the penalty of Reclusion Temporal to Reclusion Perpetua shall be imposed. 
Any public officer or employee or any person who shall facilitate the registration of 
a firearm through fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or submission of falsified documents, shall 
suffer the penalty of PRISION CORRECCIONAL. 
SECTION 5. Rules and Regulations - The PNP shall issue within ninety (90) days after the 
approval of this Act the rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of 
the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 6 . Transitory Provision - Persons in possession of unlicensed firearms and 
holders of expired licenses of registered firearms shall register and renew the same 
respectively, in accordance with the Implementing Rules and Regulations promulgated by 
the Philippine National Police within six (6) months from its promulgation for purposes of 
compliance with the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause - If for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other sections or provisions hereof not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, and other 
issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
deemed repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 9. 
Effectivity - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two· (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
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