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Thursday, November 30, 2006
Arroyo wants stiffer sanctions on careless gun owners (3:05 p.m.)
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the imposition of harsher penalties on licensed gun owners who would lose their firearms.
Arroyo, in signing Executive Order (EO) 580 last November 21, aims to encourage licensed gun holders to be more conscious of securing their firearms following increasing cases of lost firearms.
"This is also aimed at preventing the lost firearms from getting into the hands of terrorists or criminal elements," said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita who released the EO.
A fine of P5,000 will be slapped on those who lose a firearm for the first time, P10,000 for the second time and P15,000 plus permanent disqualification from possessing a firearm for third-time offenders.
Under EO 580, the PNP will issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the order, which will take effect 15 days after its publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.
Arroyo, in signing EO also amends EOs 256, issued on Dec. 21, 1995; and 197, signed on Jan. 13, 2000. EO 256 rationalized the "fees and charges on firearms, weapons, ammunition, spare parts, accessories, components, explosives ingredients, pyrotechnics and other devices" while EO 197 directs all departments and other concerned government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations to raise the "fees and charges by no less than 20 percent," including "administrative fines for loss of
firearms."
Records from the firearm Information Management System (FIMS) of the Firearms and Explosives Division, of the Civil Security Group, showed that a total of 5,399 licensed firearms were reported lost by their owners. (JMR/Sunnex) |
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