TAGUM CITY — Real-life replicas of toy guns particularly airsoft and imitation guns, are among those under the “Gun Ban” policy that the Commission on Elections strictly implements during the Election Period that started on Jan 12.
Guesting in the latest edition of Kapihan sa DavNor, Davao del Norte Comelec election supervisor and information officer-designate, Atty. Norberto Sinsona Jr. called on owners of replicas of guns and real-life toy guns to apply and acquire a certificate of authority (CA) to carry such.
Atty. Sinsona pitched the call with the hoisting of Gun Ban at the start of the Election Period.
Section 1 (w) of Comelec Resolution No. 11067 promulgated by the Comelec only on September 25, 2024, specifically includes airsoft guns and “imitation firearms in whatever forms that can cause an ordinary person to believe that they are real, including the parts thereof as defined in the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and/or other pertinent laws”
“Airsoft guns, gi-present siya nga tinuod ang tan-aw sa iya, considered na pud siya nga firearms so mag-aplay na pud sila og certificate of authority para makarga nila ang ilang airsoft (it is representing a real gun in the eyes of the public, so it is considered as a firearm, so they’d [owners] have to apply for a certificate of authority so they can carry their airsoft),” Atty Sinsona said.
In the same forum, Davao del Norte Police Provincial Office Director, P/Col. Alexander R. Serrano Jr. agreed with the wisdom of the Comelec to include airsoft guns in the gun ban saying there could be instances of hold-up only using a toy gun.
“Grabe ang resemblance sa tinuod nga baril (the resemblance to a true gun is very close),” P/Col Serrano said.
Meanwhile, Atty. Sinsona informed the public that bladed weapons are no longer covered in the Gun Ban based on Comelec Resolution No. 11067, which now excludes bladed weapons such as bolo, knives in the definition of “deadly weapon”.
Police Colonel Serrano, however, said carrying bladed weapons would still be among the subjects that the police monitor at their checkpoints during the Election Period.
“If madakpan, file ta og illegal position of bladed weapons. (If apprehended, we’ll file illegal position of bladed weapons),” Serrano said.
“Better to siya kay dili na election offense, kay mas bug-at ang election offense. (It is better because it would no longer be an election offense, which is heavy),” Atty. Sinsona said referring to the illegal possession of bladed weapons. PIA DAVAO