Priest expresses fear over police move allowing civilians own semi-automatic rifle

Speaking over the radio, Fr. Anton Pascual, a Filipino priest, has voiced his concern over the plan of the Philippine National Police [PNP] to allow civilians to legally own semi-automatic long-barrel guns.

The authorization of civilians to legally own rifles came after an amendment to the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 0591, otherwise known as Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition. 

The law was passed in 2013, limiting civilians to legally owning handguns only, in response to the spread of unlicensed firearms, and licensed firearms in the hands of other people. 

The police previously acknowledged the use of guns in many crimes, he said. Loose firearms amounted to 4,000 before. 

The PNP said they would implement safeguards to prevent gun abuse by the owners. Police clearance, psychiatric and drug tests, and training. 

The police were confident that the civilians would be responsible owners of semi-automatic rifles. 

Despite the police confidence, Pascual has expressed apprehension, citing instances of irresponsible ownership of guns in the past that resulted in violence. 

He also mentioned incidents of road rage involving the use of firearms. 

“People fear the development of gun culture if civilians will be allowed to legally own guns, " he said in Filipino. 

The group Gunless Philippines is also opposed to the police's decision, citing the mass shootings in the United States. 

In 2023, Pope Francis decried the organizations that make money by promoting the ownership of guns as a way to get secure. Regardless of whether the gun regulations are strict or not, selling weapons aids some people in violence. 

"Let us avoid violence and the use of weapons," Pascual said. 

Pascual is president of Radio Veritas and executive director of Caritas Manila.- Oliver Samson