There’s a gun ban, right?

Any regulation will not and cannot foil a crime from happening because criminals, whatever the regulation in place and no matter what, will always be criminals. Nothing can keep them from stealing or from killing, not even a funny thing we conveniently call a gun ban.

But this gun ban has been funny from the start, right? When the Comelec exempted President Aquino and other prominent officials from the ban, and when he, in all his capacity as our President, wholeheartedly heeded to the Commission’s exemption, bahala na if it would break the very principle of leading by example, that was seriously funny.

And it can only get funnier day by day, when we thought a gun ban could make us all feel safe in our abodes and workplaces, we are yet welcomed with reports of killing here, killing there, apparently, killing everywhere. The latest one just happened in our midst and more ironic, in a place we call a “Palace of Justice”.

So seriously, are we under a gun ban? Because I think people feel more apprehensive about their safety these days than when there was no gun ban in place at all. And if such anxious atmosphere exists, not only does a gun ban totally lose all its sense and meaning, it also questions the credibility of the agency implementing such ban.

I know that this gun ban comes as an automatic feature of an election season, and that this is not the first time it’s being executed for intentions our government agencies deem as both upright and necessary. But in my notes, I understand it more as an issue of form over substance. And for me, any theory that does not work out well when applied is practically a booboo.

The same goes with the ridiculous Sinulog street party ban that the PNP imposed last week for our festivities here in Cebu. While it may be founded on good intention, it just totally didn’t make any sense.

And true indeed, it did not. Because last Sunday night somewhere along Mango Ave. and on some secluded lanes in uptown Cebu, there went the young people with their beers, shot glasses and body paints, partying like they’re completely unaware there’s a street party ban in effect.

Sad part was, few meters away were the guys in blue uniform. Did they see all the partying that’s going on? Maybe yes. But were there legitimate actions done by the guys in blue uniform to adhere to and uphold the ridiculous Sinulog street party ban at that time? No report said so.

A closer look at how things are being done in our country will reveal how we Filipinos sometimes miss to hit our real targets. A gun ban on its exteriors is so promising of peace and order, but if we take a look at the bigger picture, it’s actually a sign that Filipinos aren’t worth the trust. That the gun is taken from their custody etches a kind of mentality that gun owners may possibly contribute to violence.

Being preventive is good, but wouldn’t it be way much more rational if we eradicate first the cause of prevention? Meaning, instead of using a gun ban as a safety net to violence, authorities may want to address the real causes of the violence.

Look into Juan’s life and see maybe that drugs and illegal trades are the reasons why he wants to carry along his gun. If that’s the case, then take out drugs and illegal trades from his life.

Or maybe, Juan is not mentally capacitated to bear firearms. So then address his mental struggles first. If he becomes mentally fit for bearing firearms then a gun ban will prove superfluous.

Peace and order is everybody’s business and the road to attaining it is a long and winding one. For long and winding roads, shortcuts may work. Unfortunately, gun bans and street party bans are shortcuts that won’t work.