PNP warns traders vs sale of toy guns
“The law may be harsh but it is the law.”
Thus said PNP Regional Director, Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas as he reiterated the illegality of selling gun replicas, which are sold at every nook and cranny of Iloilo City this Christmas season.
But Cuevas stressed to police authorities and traders alike that there are rules and regulations prohibiting the sales.
Owning a replica of the machine gun violated the Letter of Instructions 1264 issued in 1982 by then President Ferdinand Marcos, penalizing the sale, use and display of gun replicas. The violation carries a penalty of confiscation.
The Marcos decree was issued in response to the then prevalent practice of using toy or replica guns in hold-up or robbery.
“Now, why was it mainly prohibited? Kung ini gamiton sa pag commit sang krimen, magamit ini ila because it looks like the real things that’s nga ginabawalan ina,” Cuevas explained. “If a gun replica was used in the commission of a crime, they are just like real guns. The effects are just the same because they were able to commit extortion, robberies or hold-up because of that gun replica.”
The region’s top cop admitted, though, that there are still gray areas about the owning of pellet guns and the like. Even games like airsoft, he said that there is a law governing it.
As this developed, Cuevas said that they will disseminate appropriate guidelines relative to it.
To note, the issue of gun replica was highlighted when deposed president Joseph Estrada and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay rode on a World War II-era jeep that had a replica .50-caliber machine gun during a motorcade in Carmen, Cebu.
Policemen later confiscated the replica at the residence of Carmen Mayor Sonia Pua.
Meanwhile, according to http://www.bestbuyairsoft.com, while Letter of Instruction 1264 bans the importation, sale and public display of gun replicas, but purchase of airsoft guns and the movement of airsoft players are largely untouched by the government (in the Philippines), with a few confiscated shipments only marring that record.
“No direct regulations have been placed on the airsoft community, and players of all ages are welcomed to play. In the Philippines, a firearm is considered lethal and illegal if it fires a projectile larger than 5.5mm in diameter (most BB’s fire pellets 6mm), however, local media has suggested that airsofting will soon be considered officially legal provided there are a few exceptions like the proposed ordinance of repainting the replica gun to make it look less realistic and more distinguishable from an authentic firearm (similar to laws in the United States).”
