Licensing Application and Approval Process
- Applicants must apply to the Governor-General stating intended firearms/ammunition business.
- Governor-General approves, specifies bond amount and license duration.
- Licensed dealers may store firearms/ammunition under Director of Constabulary custody with proper receipts and may be charged storage fees.
Bond and License Issuance
- Dealers must execute bonds approved by Director of Constabulary prior to license issuance.
- Upon Governor-General’s approval and bond acceptance, the Director of Constabulary issues the license and files bond.
License Revocation and Refunds
- Governor-General may revoke licenses anytime; refunds proportionate unless breach occurred.
- Upon revocation, all arms must be surrendered to Constabulary.
- Bonds canceled and returned after license expiration with compliance proof.
License Limitations and Customs Clearance
- Possession or dealing beyond licensed amounts requires new license.
- Customs clearance for firearms/ammunition requires prior approval from Director of Constabulary and Governor-General.
Restrictions on Sales to Unlicensed Persons
- Dealers cannot sell firearms or ammunition to buyers without proper licenses.
- Violations lead to fines up to PHP 2,000, imprisonment up to 2 years, or both.
Record-Keeping by Dealers
- Dealers must keep detailed records including purchaser’s personal details and license numbers.
- Directors of Constabulary may inspect records and inventories.
- Refusal to comply breaches bond conditions.
Personal Possession Licensing Requirements
- Individuals seeking firearms for protection, hunting, or lawful use must apply for a license.
- Applicants must deposit PHP 100 per firearm or provide a bond of PHP 200.
- Members of existing gun clubs with licenses exempt from deposits but must maintain bonds.
Certificate of Deposit and Bond Custody
- Licensees who deposit cash must endorse certificates to Insular Treasurer and submit to licensing officers.
- Bonds are held by the Director of Constabulary.
Application Procedure for Personal Possession Licenses
- Manila residents apply through Chief of Police; provincial residents through Governor and Constabulary senior inspector.
- Governor-General has approval authority; Director of Constabulary issues license upon bond/deposit acceptance.
License Noncompliance and Deposit Forfeiture
- Failure to comply with laws, license terms, or loss of licensed firearm can result in forfeiture of deposits.
- Recovery of lost firearms entitles owner to refund.
Change of Domicile Notification
- License holders must notify Constabulary or police of change of residence within 10 days.
- Failure may result in license revocation.
Duty to Exhibit License upon Request
- License holders must present license on demand to authorized government officials or peace officers.
- Noncompliance may lead to license revocation.
Annual Verification of Firearms Possession
- Constabulary and Manila police must annually verify firearms possession and report violations.
- Verification dates are indorsed on licenses.
Exemptions for Official Firearms
- Provisions do not apply to firearms issued to U.S. military, Constabulary, prison guards, police, and specified officials for official duties.
Special Permits for Government Employees
- Bureau heads may apply for special permits for subordinates' firearm possession for official protection.
Registration of Government Employees’ Firearms
- Government employees owning firearms must register them with Constabulary.
Minimum Age for License
- Firearm licenses are not issued to persons under 21 years except by court authority for minors via guardians.
License Void upon Death or Disability
- License becomes void upon death or legal disability of holder.
- Firearms and ammunition must be surrendered immediately.
- Violators face fines up to PHP 500 or six months imprisonment.
Deposits of Firearms by Owners Not Seeking Licenses
- Owners unwilling to obtain licenses can deposit firearms/ammunition with Constabulary for safekeeping.
- Firearms returned upon owner’s departure from the Philippines.
Annulment of Provisional Licenses
- All provisional licenses are annulled; new licenses issued only under this Act.
Validity of Existing Licenses
- Previously issued licenses remain valid until stipulated expiration or July 1, 1908.
- Renewals and bonds continue under this Act’s provisions.
Deposit of Unlicensed Firearms at Ports
- Arrivals with unlicensed firearms must deposit them with customs collectors.
- Customs transmit firearms to Constabulary pending license issuance or departure.
- Tourists allowed to deposit or obtain special hunting permits under Governor-General conditions.
Penalties for Illegal Possession
- Unauthorized possession of firearms or ammunition punished by fines up to PHP 500 or six months imprisonment.
- Government may seize and forfeit firearms.
Prohibition on Concealed Deadly Weapons
- Carrying concealed bowie knives, dirks, daggers, kris, or other deadly weapons is prohibited.
- Excludes licensed firearms holders.
- Violations penalized by fines or imprisonment.
Sale or Transfer of Firearms by Government
- Governor-General may authorize sale or transfer of arms by Constabulary to provincial/municipal governments.
- Municipal sales require bonds for safekeeping.
Liability for Loss or Disappearance of Firearms
- Prosecutors must seek recovery of bond amounts where firearms/ammunition are lost.
- Governor-General may relieve liability if loss is due to force majeure without negligence.
- New bonds required after municipal elections, canceling old ones.
Disarming Municipal Police
- Governor-General and provincial governors may disarm municipal police if warranted.
- Firearms may be taken into Constabulary custody.
Executive Power to Enforce Regulations
- Governor-General authorized to issue executive orders for Act enforcement.
Repeal of Conflicting Laws
- Inconsistent prior laws and sections explicitly repealed.
Expedited Enactment and Effectivity
- Act expedited for immediate effect.
- Effective December 1, 1907.