Purpose
- Establishes rules and regulations for sanctioned high-powered rifle matches.
- Governs authorization of shooting ranges, equipment standards, range etiquette, rifle storage.
- Regulates issuance of transport permits for high-powered rifles.
Scope
- Applies to all legitimate holders of licensed high-powered rifles using them in sanctioned matches.
- Matches must be held in shooting ranges accredited by the Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) of PNP.
Conduct of Rifle Competitions
- Permit required for matches sanctioned by Philippine Practical Shooting Association (PPSA).
- Matches conducted according to latest International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) rules.
- Only active National Range Officers Institute (NROI) members may officiate PPSA sanctioned matches.
Firing Range Specifications
- Outdoor ranges must have a single bay, minimum 10m width and 30m length.
- Location at least 1000 meters from national highways or main roads.
- Safe distance from residential houses, avoiding nuisance to neighbors.
- Pit dimensions: 8 ft depth, 5 ft width, length equal to target wall.
- Bunkers must be impenetrable to high-powered rifles or assault weapons.
- Backstop:
- Concrete, at least 15 ft high and 5 ft thick.
- Baffles required if structures are visible on firing line.
- Target wall preferably in front of hill/mountain and able to stop any caliber bullets.
- Construction or transfers of ranges require approval from Chief, PNP.
- Gun clubs must post safety rules conspicuously and incorporate unloading/loading safety areas.
Equipment Regulations
- Only licensed semi-automatic and manual action rifles allowed in PPSA matches.
- Fully automatic, burst-fire, or multi-shot per trigger rifles prohibited.
- Minimum barrel length: 14.5 inches excluding flash suppressor.
- Only standard ammunition permitted; armor-piercing and tracer rounds are banned.
- Maximum caliber allowed: 7.62 mm.
Range Etiquette and Storage
- Rifles must be cased except when at firing line.
- Rifles to be recased immediately when leaving shooting stage.
- Visiting competitors must deposit rifles at range or appointed armory; no rifles in hotels/inns.
- Rifles stored securely (e.g., metal vaults) at licensee's address when not in use.
Issuance of Transport Permits (PTT)
- PTT issued only to PPSA members.
- Only Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) authorized to issue PTTs.
- PTT issuance requires endorsement by PPSA President or representative.
- Validity: 2 days before and 2 days after competition.
- Maximum ammunition allowed during transport: 500 rounds.
- Holders of PTT must participate in the indicated match.
- Match participation checked against results; non-compliance leads to denial of future PTTs.
Rules on Transporting Rifles
- Rifles transported in locked cases, out of plain view, separate from ammunition.
- Rifles not allowed to be carried by individuals on commercial flights or ships.
- Inter-island transport of rifles must be by cargo handled by authorized FED personnel.
Miscellaneous Provisions
- Unlicensed high-powered rifle holders encouraged to avail of gun amnesty under Executive Order No. 585 (Nov 15, 2007).
Rescission Clause
- Any rules inconsistent with this Circular are rescinded or modified accordingly.
Penal Clause
- Violations may result in denial of future match participation.
- May be penalized under special laws and other relevant laws.
Effectivity
- Circular takes effect 15 days after publication.
- Adopted March 25, 2008 by PNP Chief Avelino I. Razon Jr.