Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

A
House Bill No. 5274

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

CHILD SAFETY FIREARMS ACT
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Presidential Decree No. 1866 of 1983 succeeded in codifying Philippine
laws on firearms, ammunition, or explosives. It was enhanced and strengthened
by the passage of Republic Act No. 9516 in 2007. Despite this, the amended law
still lacks a provision which makes unlawful for any person to manufacture or sell
firearms which do not have as an integral part a device which prevents a child
from discharging the firearm by reason of strength, dexterity, cognitive skill, or
other ability.

This bill therefore seeks to reduce if not eliminate injuries and deaths
caused by accidental firearm shootings by children by making safety devices in
firearms a condition before they can be sold or imported.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
requested

DIOSDADO ‘-APAGAL ARROYO GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 5274

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

CHILD SAFETY FIREARMS ACT

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be called the "Child Safety
Firearms Act of 2011."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared to be the policy
of the State to reduce injuries and deaths caused by accidental firearm shootings
by children.

Toward this end, the state shall guarantee the production of child-proof
safety firearms or devices.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act the term:

(1) "Person" includes any individual, corporation, company, association,
firm, partnerships or entity

(2) "Firearm" means (a) any weapon which will or is designed to or may
readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; (b)
the frame or receiver of any such weapon; (c) any firearm muffler or
firearm silencer; or (d) any destructive device.


SECTION 4. Unlawful Acts. — It shall be unlawful for a person to
manufacture, sell, cause to sell or import a firearm that does not have as an
integral part a device or devices that

(1) prevent a child of less than 7 years of age from discharging the firearm
by reason of the amount of strength, dexterity, cognitive skill, or other
ability required to cause a discharge.

(2) prevent a firearm that has a removable magazine from discharging
when the magazine has been removed; and

(3) in the case of a handgun other than a revolver clearly indicate whether
the magazine or chamber contains a round of ammunition

SECTION 5. Penalty. - Any violation of this Act shall be punished with a
fine of not less than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) or imprisonment of not
less than three (3) months or both at the discretion of the court. If the offense is
committed by a corporation, trust, firm, partnership or association or other entity,
the penalty shall be imposed upon the guilty officer or officers of such
corporation, trust, firm, partnership or association or entity.

SECTION 6. Separability clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law presidential decree or
issuance, executive order, leiter of instruction, administrative order, rule of
regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby
repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,