SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 
2569 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
'15 
JAN 13 p 4 :11 
PENALIZING THE IRRESPONSIBLE USE OF FIREARMS, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE THE REVISED PENAL CODE AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
10591, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE COMPREHENSIVE FIREARMS AND 
AMMUNITION REGULATION ACT 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 5 provides: 
The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and 
property and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the 
enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy. 
In every New Year celebration, the issue of responsible use of firearms are 
being monitored by our citizens and police force. Our custom practices of 
merriment and fireworks to usher in the new year has led some of our countrymen 
to believe that it is acceptable to use firearms as part of the celebrations. However, 
such practice has led to numerous injuries and deaths caused by stray bullets. 
Instead of celebrating, many families find themselves grieving for their injured or 
deceased members who were helpless victims of irresponsible discharge of 
firearms. 
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Philippine Daily Inquirer recently reported that the Philippine National 
Police is pushing for the amendment of the law on illegal discharge of firearms.! 
In the same article, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor 
reportedly said there is an apparent need to review and revise some provisions in 
the Revised Penal Code, which classifies the illegal discharge of firearms as a less 
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senous cnme. 
This is but an example of irresponsible use of firearms. Other ways of 
misusing firearms would be to discharge it aimlessly in places where it could injure 
or kill innocent people. Another would be to brandish the weapon as a means to 
intimidate other people. 
This bill provides for separate articles for unlawful discharge and illegal use 
of firearms. This bill also disqualifies from getting a license to own or carry 
firearms persons who have been previously convicted or are currently undergoing 
trial for irresponsible use of firearms. 
1 Felipe. Cecille. PNP wants law on indiscriminate fIring amended. Philippine Daily Inquirer, 7 January 2015. 
http://www.abs-cbnnews.comination/O 1 107 115/pnp-wants-law-indiscriminate-fIring-amended 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
'15 
JAN 13 P 4 :11 
SENATE 
S, No. 
2569 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PENALIZING THE IRRESPONSIBLE USE OF FIRPARMS, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE THE REVISED PENAL CODE ANn REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
10591, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE COMPREBENSIVE FIREARMS AND 
AMMUNITION REGULATION ACT 
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: known as the "Responsible 
! 
Use of Firearms Act." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The maibtenance of peace and order, 
the protection of life, liberty, and property and th~ promotion of the general 
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welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the· people of the blessings of 
democracy. Towards that end, it shall be the polifY of the State to promote 
, 
responsible use of firearms. 
SECTION 3. The Penal Code, Article 155, is hereby amended deleting the 
word "firearm" to read as follows: 
"ART. 155. Alarms and scandals. 
- iThe penalty of 
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arresto menor or a fine not exceeding 200 pesos shall be 
imposed upon: 
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1. Any person who within any town or public place shall 
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discharge any FIREARM, rocket, firecracker, or other 
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explosive calculated to cause alarm or danger. 
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xxx" 
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SECTION 4. Insert additional Articles 155-A and 155-B, after Penal Code, 
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Article 155, which shall read as follows: 
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"ART. ISS-A. Unlawful Discharge of Firearm - The 
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penalty of arresto mayor or a fine not exceeding ten 
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thousand pesos (PI0,000) or both shall be imposed upon 
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any person who shall discharge a firearm under any of 
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the following conditions: 
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1. From a moving vehicle 
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2. Across a national road 
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3. Into or at an occupied building 
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4. In a residential area 
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5. Within 
100 
meters 
of a school, 
market, 
government office, or place of worship 
6. While intoxicated 
"ART.. ISS-B. Illegal Use of Firearm - The penalty of 
arresto menor or a fine not exceeding five thousand 
pesos (P5,000) or both shall likewise be imposed upon 
any person who brandishes a firearm in an angry or 
threatening manner or while intoxicated." 
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SECTION 5. 
Republic Act No. 10591, otherwise lmown as the 
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Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunitions Regulations Act, Article II, Section 4 
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is hereby amended by adding an additional requirement for obtaining a license, to 
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read as follows: 
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"SEC. 4. Standards and Requisites for Issuance of and 
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Obtaining a License to Own and Possess Firearms. - In order to 
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qualify and acquire a license to own and possess a firearm or 
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firearms and ammunition, the applicant must be a Filipino 
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citizen, at least twenty-one (21) years old and has gainful work, 
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occupation or business or has filed an Income Tax Return (ITR) 
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for the preceding year as proof of income, profession, business 
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or occupation. 
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In addition, the applicant shall submit the following 
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certification issued by appropriate authorities attesting the 
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following: 
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(a) The applicant has not been convicted of any crime 
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involving moral turpitude: 
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(b) The applicant has passed the psychiatric test 
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administered by a PNP-accredited psychologist or psychiatrist; 
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( c) The applicant has passed the drug test conducted by 
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an accredited and authorized drug testing laboratory or clinic; 
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(d) The applicant has passed a gun safety seminar which 
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is administered by the PNP or a registered and authorized gun 
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club; 
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(e) The applicant has filed in writing the application to 
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possess a registered firearm which shall state the personal 
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circumstances of the applicant; 
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(0 The applicant must present a police clearance from the 
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city or municipality police office; 
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(g) The applicant has not been convicted or is currently 
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an accused in a pending criminal case before any court of law 
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for a crime that is punishable with a penalty of more than two 
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(2) years; and 
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(h) THE APPLICANT HAS NOT BEEN CONVICTED 
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WITHIN THE PAST FIVE (5) YEARS OR IS NOT 
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CURRENTLY AN ACCUSED IN A PENDING CRIMINAL 
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CASE BEFORE ANY COURT OF LAW FOR THE CRIME 
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OF UNLAWFUL DISCHARGE OR ILLEGAL USE OF 
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FIREARM UNDER ARTICLES 155-A AND 155-B OF THE 
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PENAL CODE. 
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XXX" 
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SECTION 6. Information Campaign. - The Philippine National Police shall 
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establish an information campaign program to educate citizens on the responsible 
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use of firearms. 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held 
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invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
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affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
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executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
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contrary to, or inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, 
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modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
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days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
/apmO 1 0920 1 5 
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