By Jennifer P. Rendon
Unlicensed firearms in Western Visayas remain in the thousands, with around 30,715 firearms yet to be renewed as of April 22, 2024, according to the Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU) 6.
Colonel Edward Aquintey, chief of RCSU-6, noted that this number is subject to change daily, as some firearm licenses expire while others are renewed.
Most of these firearms are registered to individual licensees, while a smaller portion belongs to juridical entities.
Aquintey cited several reasons for the failure to renew firearm licenses.
“Many of these cases are due to the death of the licensee or an inability to locate them,” he explained.
Other contributing factors include changes in residence and firearms classified as Captured, Surrendered, and Deposited (CCSD).
He acknowledged that some gun owners, particularly older ones, may be deterred by the lengthy requirements for renewing a firearm license.
“But those are the rules,” Aquintey said. “They must personally appear for a neuro-psychiatric evaluation and drug test.”
However, Aquintey expressed hope that the passage of Republic Act 11766 would encourage more licensees to renew their firearms.
RA 11766, which amends Sections 7 and 19 of Republic Act No. 10591 (the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), extends the validity of firearm licenses.
Under Section 19 of RA 11766, all licenses to possess firearms must be renewed every five or ten years, at the option of the licensee, based on their birthdate.
Failure to renew by the expiration date results in the automatic revocation of both the license and firearm registration.
Previously, the License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) was valid for two years, while firearm licenses had a three-year validity period.
To assist licensees, Aquintey said RCSU-6 regularly conducts caravans, offering a “one-stop” shop for firearm holders to renew their LTOPF and firearm licenses.
These caravans typically serve around 300 firearm holders.