It costs about P360 to P400 a year to own a licensed firearm, depending on the type of gun. After the first 4 years, the license must be renewed every two years. In the Philippines, the first gun license is good for 4 years. Fabia estimates there are about 200 people a day who apply for renewals of their gun licenses, and about 150 a day who apply for new licenses. When I walked into the FEO on Tuesday afternoon, January 8, the lobby was packed with applicants for licenses. He is the second in command at the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) licensing division in Camp Crame, headquarters of the Philippine National Police. Supt Lenbell Fabia is a medium-set man with a pleasant face. I left the store with anything but an assurance.īut I must admit that for a second, I considered buying the gun – just because I could. “We will even take care of the safety seminar. “You will take care of my drug test? My neuro-psychiatric exam? Meaning you will clear me with the PNP?” Just pay us a license fee of 5,500 pesos and we’ll take care of all that,” he said. “How about these? Do I need to obtain these?” I asked. Notary Public signatures were to be left blank, as were dates of signing and firearm description.Īlso listed as requirements were a drug test, neuro-psychiatric clearance, mayor’s clearance and a gun club certificate.īut none of them had checks next to them. In all these forms, aside from my basic personal information, it only asked me to sign my signature. A form to register for a gun seminar, another for a Directorate for Intelligence clearance, an application to possess firearms, an affidavit saying I have no pending cases against me, an application for a firearm license, and an authorization form prepared by the gun store that I had to sign, allowing them to apply for me. Inside were application forms for the Philippine National Police (PNP). Ticked on the paper were: police clearance, proof of billing, certificate of employment, 2 valid IDs with a picture, ID pictures and a cedula. “Just submit these requirements to us, so we can apply for a gun license,” he said. He took the gun from me and rested it back on the shelf, handing me a piece of paper in exchange. Never mind that I had not known anything about guns, or that I had no idea how to fire this one resting on the palm of my hand, or that I didn’t even want to own one! He said I could have it. I had walked into the store, utterly clueless, only telling the salesman I wanted to buy a gun. “It’s not like you’ll have 7 attackers at once. 32 caliber, black Beretta Tomcat that could fire 7 rounds. “Can it kill?” I asked the salesman at a well-known gun store in Metro Manila. MANILA, Philippines – I held the pistol delicately, turning it over, examining it.
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