I like sharing stories from foreign newspapers as a warning of what can happen here.
Sotto scores PNP’s centralized gun registration
By Christina Mendez, The Philippine StarPosted at 03/11/2014 9:31 AM | Updated as of 03/11/2014 9:31 AM
MANILA – It is feared that loose firearms might proliferate because the Philippine National Police (PNP) has centralized gun registration in Camp Crame.
Expressing his apprehension, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III said in Filipino: “Many would have a hard time registering and loose firearms might proliferate.”
Sotto called for a congressional review of the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
“I think the congressional oversight committee should look into the IRR because of the mounting objections and apprehensions on the centralized registration,” he said.
Sotto said the PNP-Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) must concentrate on going after holders of about 597,000 expired firearms licenses and those with inaccurate details in their documents.
Sotto said “it appears to be alright,” referring to the new policy of centralizing gun registration operations at PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame.
“But I believe the PNP should concentrate more on the over 597,000 expired or (those with) inaccurate details of their licenses out of the more than 1,697,000 registered firearms holders,” he said.
Complaints have reached Sotto’s office that the centralized gun regulation would made it difficult for gun holders and gun enthusiasts to register their firearms or renew their licenses because they need to do the processing at Camp Crame.
Sotto saw the possibility that a number of the 1,697,000 gun holders might not renew their licenses, especially in areas where the Civil Security Group (CSG) satellite office was ordered closed.
In a March 3 memorandum, the PNP ordered all displaced personnel to report to the FEO in Camp Crame.
Gun holders need to go to Camp Crame to renew their licenses or register new firearms.
Sotto would also like to check on the viability of the FEO’s plan to send through mail renewed firearm licenses.
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/03/11/14/sotto-scores-pnps-centralized-gun-registration
I doubt criminals in the Philippines have registered weapons, but who cares? People like Sotto are far more interested in sending his gestapo-like agents to people’s homes.