PNP, senators clash on rifle ownership

The Philippine National Police PNP) and some senators yesterday aired opposing views on civilians owning semi-automatic rifles.

- EMMANUEL TUPAS and CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE

The PNP believes allowing civilians to register 7.62mm-caliber semi-automatic rifles and guns with lower calibers would lead to responsible gun ownership, and would not pose risks to public safety, according to Col. Jean Fajardo, the PNP’s chief information officer.

At a briefing at Camp Crame, she said the PNP leadership believes allowing the registration of semiautomatic rifles would “entice holders to renew their license to own and possess a firearm and their firearm registration.”

Fajardo said there are about 703,703 firearms with expired registration as of Feb. 16.

If the firearms are registered in the PNP’s database, it will be easier to trace the owners who use the weapons in criminal activities, according to Fajardo.