The Philippine National Police (PNP) has extended the validity of all registered firearm licenses due to expire this year until December 2015.
In a press briefing Wednesday, Chief Superintendent Virgilio Lazo, PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) chief, said the extension will buy the PNP more time to upgrade its system to improve the licensing process.
”The PNP is extending the validity of firearms licenses due to expire this January up to December 2014 to allow the PNP FEO to refocus more on the information technology enhancements of the firearms registration system,” Lazo said.
The move is part of the provisions of the newly enacted Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Law of 2013.
According to Lazo, 621,000 licenses of the 1.7 million registered firearms registered with the PNP are due to expire this year.
“The extension of the validity of these firearms licenses was prompted by considerations regarding the period of publication of the revised fees and charges for registration and licensing requirements,” he said.
Despite the extended period of application, gun owners, whose licenses will expire in December 2014, should secure their and License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) by December 2015.
LTOPF is a major requirement for purchasing and registering firearms. Buying firearms from legitimate gun stores is not allowed without LTOFP.
“The law prescribes that six months before, the LTOPF must be processed first (before a license can be renewed),” Lazo said.
“So we are appealing to all gun owners to get LTOPF. We are already going to that direction so it is highly suggested for them and all those planning to own guns to get it,” he added.
