Simplify firearms paperwork – Escudero

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis Escudero urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to simplify the process of acquiring, transferring ownership or selling firearms, noting that criminals are unlikely to go through legal channels to obtain a license.

Escudero noted that the present regulations of the PNP require a person to secure a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) before he or she can sell, transfer or acquire guns.

“Honestly, if you ask me, everyone who wants to get a gun license, let’s make the process easier because if you have bad intentions, you don’t get a license, you just take a gun from the street, (commit the crime) and throw it away,” Escudero said during the 30th Defense and Sporting Arms Show at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City over the weekend.

Escudero also said licensed gun owners who have died could no longer secure LTOPF to comply with PNP regulations.

To get an LTOPF, a person needs to present several documents including an NSO birth certificate or unexpired passport, proof of latest billing, two valid government-issued IDs, five pieces 2x2 pictures, gun safety seminar certificate, a PNP clearance, neuro-psychiatric clearance and a drug test clearance.

“If you still require a valid LTOPF, the one who will sell or transfer the gun will no longer be able to dig up a valid LTOPF from someone who has died,” he said.

“Second, for the person who has no interest in owning guns, before he can transfer or sell his gun, he has to go through the process again and do LTOPF. He doesn’t want to anymore,” Escudero added.

He advised the PNP leadership to review the process and consider the reality on the ground.