Question & AnswerQ&A (FED PNP CIRCULAR NO. 9)
All Licenses to Operate, whether for new applications or renewal, are valid for a period of five (5) years under FED PNP Circular No. 9.
A 'mother license' refers to the main license issued to a particular dealer to operate a primary store, while a 'branch license' refers to the license issued to a dealer operating at a different address from that of the mother license.
Requirements include location plan of the proposed store, sketch of firearms vault, business registration with SEC or DTI, various clearances (mayor, police, NBI or regional intelligence), an accomplished application form, certification of capitalization at P500,000.00, pictures of the store, security certification from local police, tax identification number, and payment receipts for license fees and surety bond.
Only the store with the mother (main) license shall be allowed to import firearms, ammunition, and related items. Importation by branch stores is not allowed.
Penalties include administrative sanctions such as suspension or cancellation of the license to operate depending on the gravity and nature of the offense, including selling ammunition to unauthorized persons.
The dealer must account for the previous ammunition acquired before being allowed to replenish their inventory stock, with approval from the Chief, FED.
No, licensed gun repair shops are prohibited from doing repair jobs on unlicensed or unregistered firearms.
An individual must dispose or transfer ownership of the old licensed firearm frame to a qualified person or surrender it to FED for proper disposition, except for individual gun club members who may retain both frames provided both are licensed.
Sales of ammunition must be made only to licensed firearm holders, members of the PNP, AFP, law enforcement agencies, and government entities, with corresponding permits to purchase and to transport issued by the Chief, FED. Ammunition sales form part of required monthly reporting.
Their licenses are deemed cancelled. They will have an additional six months to dispose of remaining stocks; otherwise, leftover stocks will be confiscated in favor of the government after due process.