Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act

Section 21

Firearms and ammunition may only be acquired or purchased from authorized dealers, importers or local manufacturers and may be transferred or sold only from a licensed citizen or licensed juridical entity to another licensed citizen or licensed juridical entity: Provided, That, during election periods, the sale and registration of firearms and ammunition and the issuance of the corresponding licenses to citizens shall be allowed on the condition that the transport or delivery thereof shall strictly comply with the issuances, resolutions, rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission on Elections.

Section 22

A person arriving in the Philippines who is legally in possession of any firearm or ammunition in his/her country of origin and who has declared the existence of the firearm upon embarkation and disembarkation but whose firearm is not registered in the Philippines in accordance with this Act shall deposit the same upon written receipt with the Collector of Customs for delivery to the FEO of the PNP for safekeeping, or for the issuance of a permit to transport if the person is a competitor in a sports shooting competition. If the importation of the same is allowed and the party in question desires to obtain a domestic firearm license, the same should be undertaken in accordance with the provisions of this Act. If no license is desired or leave to import is not granted, the firearm or ammunition in question shall remain in the custody of the FEO of the PNP until otherwise disposed of in-accordance with law.

Section 23

Upon the departure from the Philippines of any person whose firearm or ammunition is in the custody of the FEO of the PNP, the same shall, upon timely request, be delivered to the person through the Collector of Customs. In the case of a participant in a local sports shooting competition, the firearm must be presented to the Collector of Customs before the same is allowed to be loaded on board the carrier on which the person is to board.

Section 24

Any licensee may deposit a registered firearm to the FEO of the PNP, or any Police Regional Office for safekeeping. Reasonable fees for storage shall be imposed.

Section 25

Any firearm or ammunition deposited in the custody of the FEO of the PNP pursuant to the provisions of this Act, shall be deemed to have been abandoned by the owner or his/her authorized representative if he/she failed to reclaim the same within five (5) years or failed to advise the FEO of the PNP of the disposition to be made thereof. Thereafter, the FEO of the PNP may dispose of the same after compliance with established procedures.

Section 26

Upon the death or legal disability of the holder of a firearm license, it shall be the duty of his/her next of kin, nearest relative, legal representative, or other person who shall knowingly come into possession of such firearm or ammunition, to deliver the same to the FEO of the PNP or Police Regional Office, and such firearm or ammunition shall be retained by the police custodian pending the issuance of a license and its registration in accordance, with this Act. The failure to deliver the firearm or ammunition within six (6) months after the death or legal disability of the licensee shall render the possessor liable for illegal possession of the firearm.

Section 27

Any person who possesses an antique firearm shall register the same and secure a collector’s license from the FEO of the PNP. Proper storage of antique firearm shall be strictly imposed. Noncompliance of this provision shall be considered as illegal possession of the firearm as penalized in this Act.