Fewer Filipinos buying guns – PNP

It is said that Filipinos love guns, but fewer people are buying firearms these days, possibly reflecting a general decline in crime incidence except perhaps kidnapping.

According to a report of the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Division (PNP-FED), firearm purchases by individuals have been falling steadily since 1999 when a total of 49,850 persons acquired guns.

Senior Superintendent Ernesto Belen, FED chief, said that in 2000, purchases were down to 18,708, while this year, 10,938 guns were bought by individuals as of Oct. 1.

As for juridical entities, meaning security agencies and government offices, purchases totaled 11,612 in 1999, 3,456 last year and 9,388 this year as of Oct. 1, he said.

Belen added that the increase in the gun purchases of security agencies meant that more home and business establishments owners are hiring security guards to protect their properties.

As for firearms license renewals, he said 36,997 individuals have renewed their licenses as of September.

In the case of security agencies, licenses for a total of 54,334 firearms have been renewed.

Belen also reported that as of last August, his office had remitted a total of P177.6 million to the National Treasury.

"We expect to remit more than P200 million by yearend. This early, we have surpassed last year’s collection of P123 million," he said.

The FED report was submitted to the House appropriations committee during the consideration of the PNP budget for 2002. – Jess Diaz