Pro-gun Advocate backs ease policy on semi-automatic rifle ownership
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COURTESY: Pistolerong Pinoy | PHOTOS FROM ORIGINAL POST Gun enthusiast vlogger under the alias “Pistolerong Pinoy” defends the move of allowing private citizens to own licensed semi-automatic rifles in a Facebook video a day after Philippine National Police announced a minor amendment of the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 10591 or The Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. Under the new IRR of Republic Act No. 10591 civilians can now own semi-automatic weapons with a caliber of 7.62mm and below which can be considered small arms that are entitled to civilian licenses. “Pistolerong Pinoy” clarifies that the ownership of semi-automatic weapons was originally permitted under RA 10591 but the policy was suspended by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2018 following the bloody Marawi siege. The policy change by the Philippine police drew opposing views from senators while provoking fear in critics as it could aggravate the country’s gun violence. Anti-gun advocate Norman Cabrera, president of Gunless Society Philippines (GSP) fears that this policy would lead to gun-related violence similar to the gun culture of the United States where semi-automatic rifles are used in mass shootings. The gun enthusiast refuted the claims of the GSP president highlighting that the mass shooting incidents in America are not a gun problem but rather a “psychological problem”, he added that there are no such incidents like this in the Philippines and gun-related crimes do not often involved licensed guns but mostly illegal and used firearms. 
He reiterated that anti-gun advocates should not compare America’s gun culture to the Philippines, calling out on people to not brand gun owners as killers as they only seek protection on firearms, “Para sa ating mga legal firearm owners sumusunod po tayo sa batas,” he added in his video. Cabrera suggested prohibiting carrying guns outside homes as a measure which the gun enthusiast questioned, “hindi naman sa bahay lang ang threat natin diba ‘pag lumabas din tayo malaki din yung threat”. In a separate Facebook video, “Pistolerong Pinoy” reacted to the opposing views of senators including Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros calling for amendments in gun law saying that there is nothing anymore to fix because the policy holds strong control of weapons by enforcing strict compliance on documents to secure a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF). 
Meanwhile, PNP assures that there are enough safeguards on IRR that will be enforced in case of possible abuse of the amended rifle ownership policy. Gun enthusiast vlogger, "Pistolerong Pinoy" advises new gun owners to practice while promoting responsible gun ownership.
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