Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act

Maintains peace and order and protects citizens against violence.
Recognizes qualified citizens’ right to self-defense using firearms.
Seeks to support law enforcement in combating crime and illegal firearms proliferation.

Defines key terms such as firearms, ammunition, antique firearms, arms smuggling, authorized dealers/importers/manufacturers, licensed citizens and juridical entities, types of weapons (small arms, light weapons), permits, firearm parts, gun clubs, gunsmiths, loose firearms, and more.
Distinguishes between major and minor firearm parts, and defines accessories and imitation firearms.
Clarifies terms essential for legal interpretation of regulations.

Applicants must be Filipino citizens at least 21 years old, with gainful occupation or filed income tax return.
Must provide certification of no crime involving moral turpitude, psychiatric and drug tests, police clearance, and proof of gun safety seminar.
Licensed juridical entities must be Filipino-owned, duly registered, operational, with tax compliance.
Licenses for government firearms are exempt from duties and taxes.
Permit to carry outside residence issued only to persons under actual threat with proof via threat assessment certificate.
Certain professions are presumed to be at higher risk, e.g. lawyers, medical professionals, media practitioners.

Licenses issued by the Chief of PNP through the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO).
Multiple license types: from Type 1 (maximum 2 firearms) to Type 5 (more than 15 firearms for certified collectors).
Only small arms may be registered; light weapons restricted to government agencies, with some grandfather provisions.
Licenses include possession of ammunition (usually up to 50 rounds per firearm).
Licenses also issued for manufacturers, dealers, and gunsmiths with specific scopes.
Firearms must be registered upon acquisition.
Licenses must be renewed every two years; firearm registrations every four years.
Failure to renew leads to revocation, confiscation, and possible permanent disqualification.
Inspections of licensed entities’ inventories may be conducted.

Firearms and ammunition can only be acquired or sold through authorized dealers/importers/manufacturers and only transferred between licensed persons or entities.
Special provisions for election periods with strict transport and delivery rules.
Firearms legally possessed abroad by travelers must be deposited for safekeeping during their stay unless licensed.
Firearms may be deposited for safekeeping by licensees with fees.
Firearms unclaimed after 5 years are considered abandoned and may be disposed of legally.
Firearms of deceased or disabled licensees must be delivered to authorities within six months.
Antique firearms require registration and collector’s license; improper storage or possession is penalized.

Unlawful acquisition or possession of firearms/a mmunition penalized by varying degrees of imprisonment depending on firearm type and conditions (e.g. loaded, fitted with attachments).
Illegal possession with aggravating factors (loaded, with scope, silencer, etc.) increases penalty by one degree.
Possession of major parts or ammunition without license also penalized.
Use of loose firearm in crime is aggravating or may replace penalties for underlying crime.
Juridical persons responsible for unlawful use by employees may be penalized.
Carrying firearms outside residence without permit punishable by imprisonment and fines.
Illegal manufacture, importation, sale of firearms, ammunition, or manufacturing tools subject to severe penalties.
Arms smuggling punishable by reclusion perpetua.
Tampering or altering firearm identification details is criminalized.
Use of imitation firearms in commission of crime treated as use of real firearm.
Violations carry confiscation and forfeiture of firearms and related materials.
Planting evidence involving firearms punished severely, with higher penalties for public officials.

Custody and safekeeping of firearms during court proceedings specified; no bond for release allowed.
Licenses may be revoked or suspended for crimes involving firearms, breaches involving carrying or safekeeping, falsification of documents, drug violations, or court order.
Failure to report lost or stolen firearms or change of address incurs fines.
Illegal transfer or registration incurs criminal penalties and disqualification from licensing.

FEO of the PNP is the sole repository of all firearms records.
Military, law enforcement, government agencies must submit firearms inventories within a year.
Provides for a final amnesty period of six months for unregistered firearms or expired licenses to be registered or renewed.
Mandates formulation and publication of implementing rules and regulations within 120 days.
Repeals inconsistent laws and maintains validity of unaffected provisions even if portions are struck down.
Takes effect 15 days after publication in national newspapers.