Here's some good news to all gun holders.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is considering options for the "streamlining" of the licensing process for firearms, according to the PROGUN (Peaceful Responsible Owners of Guns) website.
In a public forum held last month at Camp Crame, Quezon City, the PNP-Civil Service Group (CSG) and the PNP-Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) said that the "marching orders" given to them were to "make life easier for licensed firearms owners".
As such, the requirements for obtaining a License to Own and Possess Firearms or LTOPF may soon be eased up, the options shall be as follows:
1. Court and Prosecutor's clearance shall no longer be required. Instead, the applicant shall obtain an NBI Clearance. This is because the NBI record is nationwide and more encompassing than the court clearance which is just for a specific city or municipality where the applicant lives.
2. Drug and Neuro Psych testing shall be expanded to include more government and private testing centers (not just PNP accredited)
3. Number of copies of Forms shall be only two: one for the PNP and one for the applicant.
4. The time to process the LTOPF from filing to approval shall take only 40 minutes. This is due to the computer system that forwards the application from initial evaluation directly to the Chief for approval and signature electronically.
5. Firearms safety seminar shall be expanded to include not just gun clubs but also individual qualified firearms instructors who may administer the seminar.
6. Holders of expired firearms licenses shall be allowed to apply for and obtain an LTOPF.
7. General Amnesty shall be implemented.
We'll keep you posted once these new "streamlined" process is finally approved.
Cebu Satellite Office
In a separate news, the PNP-CSG and FEO opened their Cebu satellite office to process applications for LTOPF and firearms renewal.
All gun holders in Central Visayas can now process their gun applications at the CSG and FEO branch in Cebu.
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