Civilians may soon own more than 2 guns

Pretty soon, gun owners can have more than two guns licensed.

This, after President Estrada approved amendments to the existing policy on gun ownership.

At a press conference at Camp Crame yesterday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Deputy Director General Panfilo Lacson said the President has approved amendments to General Order No. 7 allowing gun owners to possess more than two licensed guns.

Under General Order No. 7, signed by the late former President Marcos on Sept. 23, 1972, all qualified gun owners are allowed to keep only two licensed guns at home - a pistol or revolver up to caliber .40 and a long firearm either a caliber .22 rifle or a non-pump action shotgun.

Once the President amends the general order through an executive order, Lacson said qualified gun owners can own as many licensed guns as they can afford.

With the amendments, Lacson said civilian gun owners and firearm aficionados can now buy and be given license to possess all types of guns, except for "crew-serviced" guns such as cannons and mortars and light and heavy machineguns.

"Except for these guns, civilian gun owners may soon be permitted to buy and own even assault rifles and machine pistols," he said.

Lacson, however, said the PNP will still not permit gun owners to carry their high-powered pistols and rifles in the streets.

"The idea here is to maximize the ballistics records of firearms. But this does not mean that gun owners will be allowed to carry their guns out," he said.