Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act

Section 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 been convicted or is currently an accused in a pending criminal case before any court of law for a crime that is punishable with a penalty of more than two (2) years. For purposes 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.

Section 5

A juridical person maintaining its own security force may be issued a regular license to own and possess firearms and ammunition under the following conditions: (a) It must be Filipino-owned and duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); (b) It is current, operational and a continuing concern; (c) It has completed and submitted all its reportorial requirements to the SEC; and (d) It has paid all its income taxes for the year, as duly certified by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. The application shall be made in the name of the juridical person represented by its President or any of its officers mentioned below as duly authorized in a board resolution to that effect: Provided, That the officer applying for the juridical entity, shall possess all the qualifications required of a citizen applying for a license to possess firearms. Other corporate officers eligible to represent the juridical person are: the vice president, treasurer, and board secretary. Security agencies and LGUs shall be included in this category of licensed holders but shall be subject to additional requirements as may be required by the Chief of the PNP.

Section 6

All firearms owned by the National Government shall be registered with the FEO of the PNP in the name of the Republic of the Philippines. Such registration shall be exempt from all duties and taxes that may otherwise be levied on other authorized owners of firearms. For reason of national security, firearms of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies shall only be reported to the FEO of the PNP.

Section 7

A permit to carry firearms outside of residence shall be signed by the Chief of the PNP or duly authorized representative to any qualified person whose life is under actual threat or is in imminent danger due to the nature of the person's profession, occupation or business: Provided, That such permit shall be valid for two (2) years from the date of the approval of the application, unless sooner revoked or suspended. It shall be the burden of the applicant to prove the actual threat to life by submitting a threat assessment certificate: Provided, That the appropriate PNP unit shall issue the threat assessment certificate within fifteen (15) days. For purposes of this Act, the following persons are considered to be in imminent danger due to the nature of their profession, occupation or business, and hence are exempted from the requirement of a threat assessment certificate: Members of the Philippine Bar; Certified Public Accountants; Accredited Media Practitioners; Cashiers, Bank Tellers; Priests, Ministers, Rabbi, Imams; Physicians and Nurses; Engineers; Businessmen who, by the nature of their business or undertaking, are exposed to high risk of being targets of criminal elements; Elected incumbent and former officials; and Active and retired military and law enforcement personnel. (As amended by RA No 11766)