Renew licenses to avoid trouble, PNP tells gunholders
PHILIPPINE National Police Firearms and Explosives Office director Brigadier General Paul Kenneth T. Lucas on Wednesday called on all licensed gun-holders to renew their permits on time to avoid having trouble with the law.
The official said the License to Own and Possess Firearms and Firearms Registration must be renewed at least six months before their actual expiration date as the law specifically emphasizes the timely renewal of these gun permits for an individual to be given the privilege to continue possessing a licensed firearm.
Brig. Gen. Lucas pointed out that Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 states that failure to renew a gun permit on or before its expiration date shall mean the automatic revocation of the licenses.
To prevent such consequence, the PNP-FEO director appealed to all gun-owners who are no longer interested in renewing their permits to surrender their firearms immediately to the nearest police station, the Regional Civil Security Unit in their areas or at the PNP-FEO office in Camp Crame.
Brig. Gen. Lucas also emphasized that licensed firearm holders who lose its possession after transferring its ownership to another licensed person or those who claim they have lost or misplaced their guns must immediately report to the nearest police station.
He added that licensed guns found in possession of another individual other than the registered owner will also bring trouble to both since they are violating provisions of RA 10591 which could send them to jail.
Brig. Gen. Lucas likewise assured the public that license renewal has been streamlined for fast, efficient and hassle-free process.
He said the renewal fees are set at a minimal cost to make the renewal process available to all.
The official added that they have also implemented various measures to expedite the renewal process such as improving their online application system, boosting the number of personnel dedicated in processing licenses, operating their One-Stop Shop at Camp Crame during weekend and processing at RCSUs nationwide as directed by PNP-CSG director, Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. Silo Jr.
