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Zubiri pushes Self-Defense Bill, Responsible Gun Owwnership at 32nd AFAD Arms Show
Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri on Tuesday laid out his legislative agenda on firearms policy before industry stakeholders at the 32nd AFAD Defense & Sporting Arms Show, balancing expanded gun rights with stricter accountability for negligent owners.
Speaking at the opening of DSAS part 1 annual gathering of the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers of the Philippines (AFAD), Zubiri championed two priority bills: Senate Bill No. 1555, which would strengthen self-defense protections, and Senate Bill No. 1897,a revised set of amendments to the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Self-Defense Presumption
Under SB 1555,forced or illegal entry into a home, vehicle, or place of business would create a legal presumption of unlawful aggression-shifting the burden of proof away from the defender. "Sa oras ng panganib,ilang segundo lamang ang mayroon ang isang tao para kumilos," Zubiri said, stressing the bill is not a license for violence but protection for those unlawfully attacked.
Firearms Act Amendments
SB 1897-previously vetoed but now revised-proposes expanded exemptions for threat assessment certificates,higher ammunition caps (250 rounds for regular license holders; 2,500 for sports shooters), a shortened election gun ban (45 days before and 5 days after), simplified ownership transfers upon death or incapacity,and a one-year amnesty for license registration or renewal. The amendments also aim to cut red tape in defense manufacturing under the Self-Reliant Defense PostureProgram.
Harsher Penalties for Negligence
Addressing the recent Tacloban school shooting that killed three students, Zubiri drew a sharp line between responsible owners and negligent ones. "This was NOT the fault of responsible gun owners," he said,blaming the tragedy on owners who failed to secure their firearms under Section 9 of RA 10591. He pledged to impose criminal liability and stiffer penalties for such negligence,arguing the current penalty of prisión correccional "hindi po ata ito katumbas ng buhay ng mga batang namatay."
"Those gun owners must be held to account. They did not pull the trigger,but their negligence made way for the tragedy to happen,"Zubiri said.
Defense and Spoting Arms Show (DSAS) is the longest and premier firearms exhibition in the country. The tradeshow is from July 22 and ends on July 25 at he SMX Convention Center,mall of Asia Complex