As the election period approaches, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has ramped up its campaign against loose firearms.
The aim is clear: prevent these weapons from being used to disrupt peace or intimidate the public. However, while the effort is commendable, it raises a crucial question: Who exactly obeys gun bans?
From experience and past data, it’s evident that the majority of law-abiding citizens—legitimate gun owners—are the ones who comply with these regulations. The same cannot be said for criminals.
Past election cycles have consistently shown that those with unlawful intentions do not suddenly decide to follow gun laws. Instead, they continue to carry firearms, exploiting a climate where their chances of getting caught might be slim. The very people who pose the most danger—drug syndicates, political hitmen, or rogue elements—are not likely to surrender their weapons just because a law says so.
Colonel Bayani Razalan’s appeal for illegal gun holders to voluntarily surrender their firearms is a noble one, but it is akin to asking predators to hand over their claws. Yes, the IPPO has made strides, with 23 operations in September alone leading to arrests and seizures of guns. But can this keep pace with the number of loose firearms still circulating on the streets?
Criminals pack heat while gun bans clip the wings of responsible gun owners, making them more vulnerable. Time and again, statistics from previous elections have revealed that a significant number of people prefer to hold on to their firearms rather than leave themselves defenseless, law or no law.
The situation illustrates the irony of the situation. It shows how compliance, mainly by the law-abiding, doesn’t necessarily lead to greater safety. It’s time to rethink how gun bans are enforced and perhaps focus more on aggressive crackdowns on criminal elements rather than just blanket bans that mostly affect those who obey the law in the first place.
Without addressing the root cause—illegal firearms in criminal hands—these campaigns will remain largely symbolic, serving only to create an illusion of control.
We need smarter, more targeted enforcement, combined with real community engagement, to tackle this perennial problem.
The elections will always bring heightened tension, but it’s up to law enforcement to ensure that their focus remains sharp: criminals, not citizens.
