ABOUT 4,000 firearms in Bacolod City, many of which belonging to security agencies, have expired licenses, an official of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) confirmed to SunStar Bacolod Wednesday, October 5, 2022.

BCPO Deputy Director for Operations Lieutenant Colonel Lester Leada said some of the security agencies with expired gun licenses have ceased operations when the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic started.

He said they have issued notices to the owners of these guns to renew their license but others could not be located as their addresses are incomplete based on records.

“Some of the gun owners do not have the guns in their possession anymore as they already donated it to other people,” Leada noted.

The police official stressed that gun owners are not allowed to donate or sell the firearms in their possession as it is a violation of their license.

To give chance to gun owners to renew their expired licenses, a two-day License To Own and Possess Firearms Caravan and Firearms will be held at the third floor of the SM City Bacolod North Wing starting today, October 6.

The activity will be supervised by the Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU) in Western Visayas.

BCPO, in a statement, advised applicants to bring their duly notarized application form at the venue for processing.

With the services provided, BCPO hoped for gun owners and licensees to procure all the necessary documents for them to become licensed and legitimate owners, its spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Sherlock Gabana said.

“The privilege of possessing a firearm comes with a huge responsibility (and) responsible gun owners should know how and when to use their firearms if necessary,” Gabana emphasized.

He said that through this activity, BCPO seeks to lessen the use of unlicensed firearms in any lawless activity.