FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENAIE. 
S. No. 
llj~4 
I 
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 
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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 controls to protect 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 1970's. Lead-containing dust is produced by the combustion of lead-
containing primers, the friction of bullets against the gun barrel, and the fragmentation as bullets 
strike the backstop. Lead dust inhaled into the lungs is highly bioavailable, with an absorption 
rate near one hundred percent. One can breathe 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 or bones and can affect the brain and nervous system, the digestive 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. 
(1) 


This bill seeks to address the health and safety concerns posed by unregulated activities 
in firing ranges. I 
1 This hill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regular Session 
(2) 


· . 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HI Jill 19 "5 :34 
~EN4.'Ul 
S. No. l.b24 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
\j 
I 
AN ACT 
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REGULATING INDOOR FIRING RANGES 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
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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; 
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(B) "Department" refers to the Department ofInterior 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 have a 
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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, maintenance 
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staff, and guests must wear ear muffs or ear plugs when present inside the 
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establishment. 
(1) 


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SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- The Department shall adopt the 
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Implementing Rules and Regulations for this Act. 
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SECTION 5. Penalties. - The Department is empowered to establish and assess penalties 
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or fines against an employer for violations of this Act or regulations adopted under this Act. In 
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no circumstance will any penalty or fine exceed PIO,OOO.OO. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Claus~. - 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) newspaper~ of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
(2)