RA 10591

Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition

Regulation Act
 Arms Smuggling refers to the import, export, acquisition,
sale, delivery, movement or transfer of firearms, Their
parts and components and ammunition, from or
across the territory of one country to that of another
country which has not been authorized in accordance
with domestic law in either or both country/countries
 Confiscated firearms refers to a firearms that is taken
into custody by the PNP, National Bureau of
Investigation(NBI), Philippines Drug Enforcement
Agency (PDEA), and all other law enforcement agencies
by reason of their mandate and must be necessarily
reported or turned over to the FEO of the PNP.

 Firearms refers to any handheld or portable weapon,

whether a small arm or light weapon, that expels or is
designed to expel a bullet, shot, slug, missile, or any
projectile, which is discharged gunpowder or other form
of combustion or any similar instrument or implement.
For purposes of this act, the barrel, frame or receiver is
considered a firearm.
 Forfeited firearm refers to a firearm that is subject to
forfeiture by a reason of court order as necessary
penalty or for the disposition by the FEO of the PNP of
firearms considered as abandoned, surrendered,
confiscated or revoked in compliance with existing
rules and regulations.
 Licensed citizen refers to any Filipino who complies
with the qualifications set forth in this Act and duly
issued with a license to possess or to carry firearms
outside of the residence in accordance with this Act
 Licensed juridical entity refers to corporations,
organizations, businesses including security agencies
and local government units (LGUs) which are
licensed to own and possess firearms in accordance
with this act.
 Light weapons are: Class-A Light weapons which
refer to self-loading pistols, rifles and carbines,
submachine guns, assault rifles and light machine
guns not exceeding caliber 7.62MM which have fully
automatic mode; and Class-B Light weapons which
refer to weapon designed for use by two (2) or more
persons serving as a crew, or rifles and machine guns
exceeding caliber 7.62MM such as heavy machine
guns,
Handheld under barrel and mounted grenade launchers,
portable anti- anticraft guns, portable anti- tank
missile and rocket systems, portable launchers of
anti- aircraft missile system, and mortars of a caliber
of less than 100MM.
 Long certificate of registration refers to licenses
issued to government agencies or offices or
government-owned or controlled corporations for
firearms to be used by their officials and employees
who are qualified to posses firearms as provided in
this Act, excluding security guards.
 Loose firearms refers to an unregistered firearms, an
obliterated or altered firearm, firearm which has been
lost or stolen, illegally manufactured firearms, registered
firearms in the possession of an individual other than the
license and those which revoked licenses in accordance
with the rules and regulations.

 Major part or components of a firearms refers to barrel,

slide, frame, receiver, cylinder or the bolt assembly. The
term also includes any part or kit designed and intended
for used in converting a semi-automatic burst to a full
automatic firearm.,
 Minor parts of a firearms refers to the parts of the
firearm other than the major parts which are
necessary to effect and complete the action of
expelling a projectile by way of combustion, expect
those classified as accessories.
 Permit to carry firearms outside of residence refers to
a written authority issued to a licensed citizen by the
chief of the PNP which entitles such person to carry
his/her registered or lawfully issued firearm outside
of the residence for the duration and purposes
specified in the authority.
 Permit to transport firearm refers to a written authority issued
to a licensed citizen or entity by the chief of the PNP or by a
PNP Regional Director which entitles such person or entity to
transport a particular firearm from and to a specific location,
within the duration and purposes in the authority.

 Small arms refer to firearms intended to be or primarily

designed for individual use or that which is generally
considered to mean a weapon intended to be fired from the
hand or shoulder, which are not capable of fully automatic
bursts of discharge, such as:

Handgun which is a firearm intended to be fired from the hand,

which includes;
A pistol which is a hand-operated firearm having a chamber
integral with or permanently aligned with the bore which may
be self-loading; and
(ii) Revolver which is a hand-operated firearm with a revolving
cylinder containing chambers for individual cartridges.

(2) Rifle which is a shoulder firearm or designed to be fired from

the shoulder that can discharge a bullet through a rifled barrel
by different actions of loading, which may be classified as
lever, bolt, or self-loading; and

(3) Shotgun which is a weapon designed, made and intended to

fire a number of ball shots or a single projectile through a
smooth bore by the action or energy from burning gunpowder.

(ee) Sports shooting competition refers to a defensive, precision

or practical sport shooting competition duly authorized by the
FEO of the PNP.
(ff) Tampered, obliterated or altered firearm refers to any
firearms whose serial number or other identification or
ballistics characteristics have been intentionally tampered
with, obliterated or altered without authority or in order to
conceal its source, identity or ownership.

(gg) Thermal weapon sight refers to a battery operated, uncooled

thermal imaging device which amplifies available thermal
signatures so that the viewed scene becomes clear to the
operator which is used to locate and engage targets during
daylight and from low light to total darkness and operates in
adverse conditions such as light rain, light snow, and dry
smoke or in conjunction with other optical and red sights.
 ARTICLE II
OWNERSHIP AND POSSESSION OF FIREARMS
SEC.4 Standards and Requisites for Issuance of and
Obtaining a license to own and possess Firearms.- in order
to qualify and acquire a license to own and possess a
firearm or firearms and ammunition, the applicant must be a
Filipino citizen, at least twenty-one (21) years old and has
gainful work, occupation or business or has filed an Income
Tax Return (ITR) for the preceding year as proof of income,
profession, business or occupation.

In addition, the applicant shall submit the following certification

issued by appropriate authorities attesting the following:

(a) The applicant has not been convicted of any crime

involving moral turpitude;
(b) The applicant has passed the psychiatric test
administered by a PNP-accredited psychologist or
psychiatrist;

(c) The applicant has passed the drug test conducted by an

accredited and authorized drug testing laboratory or clinic;

(d) The applicant has passed a gun safety seminar which is

administered by the PNP or a registered and authorized
gun club;

(e) The applicant has filed in writing the application to

possess a registered firearm which shall state the personal
circumstances of the applicant;
(f) The applicant must present a police clearance from the
city or municipality police office; and

(g) The applicant has not be convicted or is currently an

accused in a pending criminal case before any court of
law for a crime that is punishable with penalty of more
than (2) years.
For purpose of this Act, an acquittal or permanent dismissal
of a criminal case before the courts of law shall qualify the
accused thereof to qualify and acquire a license.

The applicant shall pay the reasonable licensing fees as may

be provided in the implementing rules and regulations of
this Act.

An applicant who intends to possess a firearm owned by a

juridical entity shall submit his/her duty detail order to the
FEO of the PNP.
SEC.7. Carrying of firearms Outside of Residence or Place of
Business. – A permit to carry firearms outside of residence
shall issued by the Chief of the PNP or his/her duly
authorized representative to any qualified person whose life is
under actual threat or his/her life is in imminent danger due to
the nature of his/her profession, occupation or business.

For purposes of this Act, the following professionals are

considered to be in imminent danger due to the nature of their
profession, occupation or business.
(a) Member of the Philippine Bar;
(b) Certified Public Accountants;
(c) Accredited Media Practitioners;
(d) Cashier, Bank Tellers;
 (e) Priests, Ministers, Rabbi, Imams;
(f) Physicians and Nurses;
(g) Engineers, and
(h) Businessmen, who by the nature of their
business or undertaking, are exposed to high risk of being
targets of criminal elements.
SEC. 28. Unlawful Acquisition, or Possession of Firearms and
Ammunition. - The unlawful acquisition, possession of
firearms and ammunition shall be penalized as follows:
(a) The penalty of prison mayor in its medium period shall be
imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire of
possess a small arm;
(b) The penalty of reclusion temporal to reclusion perpetua
shall be imposed if three (3) or more small arms or Class-A
light weapons are unlawfully acquired or possessed by any
person;
(c) The penalty of prison mayor in its maximum period shall be
imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or
possess a Class-A light weapon;

(d) The penalty of reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon any

person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess a Class- B light
weapon;

(e) The penalty of one (1) degree higher than that provided in
paragraphs (a) to (c) in this section shall be imposed upon
any person shall unlawfully possess any firearm under any
combination of the following conditions;

(1) Loaded with ammunition or inserted with a loaded

magazine;
(2) Fitted or mounted with laser or any gadget used to guide the
shooter to hit the target such as thermal weapon sight (TWS)
and the like;

(3) Fitted or mounted with sniper scopes, firearms muffler or

firearm silencer;

(4) Accompanied with an extra barrel; and

(5) Converted to be capable of firing full automatic burst.

(g) The penalty of prison mayor in its minimum period shall be

imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or
possess ammunition for a small arm or Class-A light weapon. If
the violation of this paragraph is committed by the same person
charged with the unlawful acquisition or possession of a small arm,
the former violation shall be absorbed by the latter;
(h) The penalty of prison mayor in its medium period shall
be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully
acquire or possess a major part of a Class-A light
weapon;

(i) The penalty of prison mayor in its medium period shall

be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully
acquire or possess ammunition for a Class-A light
weapon. If the violation of this paragraph is committed
by the same person charged with the unlawful
acquisition or possession of a Class-A light weapon, the
former violation shall be absorbed by the latter;
(j) The penalty of prison mayor in its maximum period shall
be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully
acquire or possess a major part of a Class-A light
weapon; and

(k) The penalty of prison mayor in its maximum period

shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully
acquire or possess ammunition for a Class-B light
weapon. If the violation of this paragraph is committed
by the same person charged with the unlawful
acquisition or possession of a Class-B light weapon, the
former violation shall be absorbed by the latter.
SEC. 29. Used of Loose Firearm in the Commission of a
Crime.- The use of a loose firearm, when inherent in the
commission of a crime punishable under the Revised
Penal Code or other special laws, shall be considered as
an aggravating circumstance: Provided, That if the crime
committed with the used of a loose firearm is penalized
by the law with a maximum penalty which is lower than
that prescribed in the preceding section for illegal
possession of firearm, the penalty of illegal possession of
firearm shall be imposed in lieu of the penalty for the
crime charged: Provided, further, That if the crime
committed with the used of a loose firearm is penalized
by the law with a maximum
penalty which is equal to that imposed under the preceding
section for illegal possession of firearms, the penalty of
prison mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed in
addition to the penalty for the crime punishable under
the Revised Penal Code or other special laws of which
he/she is found guilty.

If the violation of this Act is in furtherance of, or incident

to, or in connection with the crime of rebellion or
insurrection, or attempted coup d’ etat,o such violation
shall be absorbed as an element of the crime of rebellion
or insurrection, or attempted coup d’ etat.
If the crime is committed by the person without using the
loose firearm, the violation of this Act shall be
considered as a distinct and separate offense.

SEC. 31. Absence of Permit to Carry Outside of Residence.-

The penalty of prison correctional and a fine of Ten
thousand pesos (P10,000.00) shall be imposed upon any
person who is licensed to own a firearm but who shall
carry legal authority thereof.
SEC. 32. Unlawful Manufacture Importation, Sale or
Disposition of Firearms or Ammunition or Parts Thereof,
Machinery, Tool or Instrument Used or Intended to be
Used in the Manufacture of Firearms, Ammunition or
Parts Thereof.- The penalty of reclusion temporal to
reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon any person
who shall unlawfully engage, in the manufacture,
importation, sale or disposition of a firearm or
ammunition, or machinery, tool or instrument used or
intended to be used by the same person in the
manufacture of a firearm, ammunition, or a major part
thereof.
SEC. 33. Arms Smuggling.- The penalty of reclusion
perpetua shall be imposed upon any person who shall
engage or participate in arms smuggling as defined in
this Act.

SEC. 34. Tampering, Obliteration or Alternation of Firearms

Identification.- The penalty of prison correctional to
prison major in its minimum period shall be imposed
upon any person who shall tamper, obliterate or alter
without authority the barrel, slide, frame, receiver,
cylinder, or bolt assembly, including its individual or
peculiar identifying characteristics essential in forensic
examination of a firearm or light weapon.
SEC. 35. Used of an Imitation Firearm.- An imitation
firearm used in the commission of a crime shall be
considered a real firearm as defined in this Act and the
person who committed the crime shall be punished in
accordance with this Act: Provided, That injuries caused
in the occasion of the conduct of competitions, sports,
games, or any recreation activities involving imitation
firearms shall not be punishable under this Act.
SEC. 36. In Custodia Legis.- During the pendency of any
case filed in violation of this Act, seized firearm,
ammunition, or parts thereof, machinery, tools or
instruments shall remain in the custody of the court. If
the court decides that it has no adequate means to
safely keep the same, the court shall issue an order to
turn over to the PNP Crime Laboratory such firearm,
ammunition, or parts thereof, machinery, tools or
instruments in its custody during the pendency of the
case and to produce the same to the court when so
ordered. No bond shall be admitted for the release of
the firearm, ammunition or parts thereof, machinery,
tool or instrument.
Any violation of this paragraph shall be punishable by
prison mayor in its minimum period to prison mayor in
its medium period.

SEC. 37. Confiscation and Forfeiture.- The imposition of

penalty for any violation of this Act shall carry with it the
accessory penalty of confiscation and forfeiture of the
firearm, ammunition, or parts thereof; machinery, tool
or instrument in favor of the government which shall be
disposed of in accordance with law.
SEC. 38. Liability for Planting Evidence – The penalty of
prison mayor in its maximum period shall be imposed
upon any person who shall willfully and maliciously insert,
place, and/or attach, directly or indirectly, through any
overt or covert act, any firearm, or ammunition, or parts
thereof in the person, house, effects, or in the immediate
vicinity of an innocent individual for the purpose of
implicating or incriminating the person, or imputing the
commission of any violation of the provisions of this Act
to said individual. If the person found guilty under this
paragraph is a public officer or employee, such person
shall suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua.
SEC. 39. Grounds for Revocation, Cancellation or Suspension of
License or Permit.- The chief of the PNP or his/her authorized
representative may revoke, cancel or suspend a license or
permit on the following grounds:
(a) Commission of a crime or offense involving the firearm,
ammunition, or major parts thereof;
(b) Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude or any
offense where the penalty carries an imprisonment of more
than six (6) years;
(c) Lose of the firearm, ammunition, or any parts thereof
through negligence;
(d) Carrying of the firearm, ammunition, or major parts thereof
outside of residence or workplace without the proper permit
to carry the same;
(e) Carrying of the firearm, ammunition, or major parts
thereof in prohibited places;
(f) Dismissal for the cause from the service in case of
government official and employee;
(g) Commission of any of the acts penalized under Republic
Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the “Comprehensive
Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”;
(h) Submission of falsified document or misrepresentation
in the application to obtain a license or permit;
(i) Noncompliance of reportorial requirements; and
(j) By virtue of a court order.
SEC. 40. Failure to Notify Lost or Stolen Firearm or Light
Weapon.- A fine Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) shall be
imposed upon any licensed firearm holder who fails to
report to the FEO of the PNP that the subject firearm has
been lost or stolen within a period of thirty (30) days from
the date of discovery.

Likewise, a fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) shall be

imposed upon any person holding a valid firearm license
who changes residence or office address other than that
indicated in the license card and fails within a period of
thirty (30) days from the said transfer to notify the FEO of
the PNP of such change of address.
SEC. 41. Illegal Transfer/ Registration of Firearms.- It shall
be unlawful to transfer to possession of any firearm to
any person who has not yet obtained or secured the
necessary license or permit thereof.