Politics · Philippines Bureau
Lawmaker pushes stricter firearms rules, offers final amnesty window
A Negros Occidental congressman has filed legislation aimed at tightening regulations on unregistered weapons while providing gun owners a final opportunity to surrender illegal firearms before penalties take effect. The measure seeks to prevent school shooting incidents through stronger enforcement mechanisms.
LSN Philippines ·
Negros Occidental Representative Javier Miguel Benitez has filed a House bill designed to strengthen legal controls over loose firearms circulating in communities, with a grace period allowing voluntary surrender before the law's implementation.
Benitez filed the measure Thursday in response to rising concerns over unauthorized weapons and their potential use in violent incidents, particularly school shootings. The proposed legislation combines stricter regulatory frameworks with an amnesty component to encourage compliance without immediate criminal penalties.
The bill would establish enhanced rules governing the possession, storage, and registration of firearms across the country. Officials would be required to verify ownership documentation and enforce accountability standards among licensed gun holders.
The amnesty provision represents a transitional phase giving current firearm owners time to either register their weapons legally or surrender them through designated collection points. Once the amnesty period expires, possession of unregistered firearms would face stricter penalties under the new framework.
The proposal reflects ongoing efforts by lawmakers to balance public safety concerns with property rights, particularly as schools and communities demand greater protection from gun violence.