Passage of gun control bills pushed

In an effort to promote public safety and stop gun violence, the Gunless Society has appealed to the leadership of Congress for the speedy consideration and approval of a proposed legislation that will get guns off the streets.

The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 1925, filed by Senate President Franklin Drilon and Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., and its House counterpart, HB 10778, authored by Rep. Wigberto Tañada, seek to regulate the carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons in public places.

"Let's not wait for another Skyway shooting incident to happen again. Don't wait for another gun victim because the next victim may be your loved one. We've had enough of gun violence. Enough is enough," said Gunless Society president Nandy Pacheco said.

Under the proposed legislation, it will be a criminal offense for anyone to carry a firearm or deadly weapon in public, except for police officers, military personnel or licensed private security guards who are authorized, in uniform and on duty.

Licensed guns that are kept at home for protection or in gun clubs are not covered.

Supporting the gun control bills, the Center for Peace Education of Miriam College, said: "This legislation is very much needed at this time when the culture of violence has so engulfed our society."

Pacheco urged peace-loving citizens and NGOs to send petitions to legislators, especially the chairmen of the House committee on public order and security (Rep. Roilo Golez) and Senate committee on public order and drugs (Sen. Robert Barbers), urging them to act favorably on the gun control bills.