Archive for June, 2010

Gun rights group wants PM to probe FLA resignation

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Gun rights group wants PM to probe FLA resignation

Damion Mitchell
Assistant News Editor

The National Gun Rights Association (NGRA) wants the Prime Minister to probe the resignation of the Board of the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA).

The five-member authority resigned last Wednesday with immediate effect causing a suspension in the issuance of gun permits.

They decided to step aside following a letter from the National Security Minister Senator Dwight Nelson raising concerns about the number of gun permits being granted, which they considered to be offensive.

In a release this morning, the National Gun Rights Association (NGRA) said it was alarmed at the sudden resignation of the FLA board.

Shawn Johnson, the association chairman says his group has been pleased with increased efficiency of the FLA.

According to Johnson, in recent times more firearm licenses have been approved allowing more Jamaicans to be better able to protect themselves and their properties.

The former FLA board members say they have only and would only issue firearm licenses where the applicants meet the stipulated requirements.

However, Senator Nelson is maintaining that he is not comfortable with the increase in the number of firearm permits being issued.

For the first five months of this year, the FLA issued 1,197 gun permits up from the 621 for the first five months of 2009.

The increase in the number of gun permits coincided with an increase in the call for people to legally arm and protect themselves as the murder tally climbed.

The Firearm Licensing Authority was established in 2005 by an Act of Parliament to regulate the issuing and revocation of gun permits.

Originally Appeared: http://www.go-jamaica.com/news/print_article.php?id=20412

US Supreme Court extends gun rights

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Page last updated at 15:52 GMT, Monday, 28 June 2010 16:52 UK

The US Supreme Court has restricted the rights of state and city governments to enforce controls on gun ownership.

The US’s highest court ruled by 5-4 that a ban on handgun ownership in Chicago was unconstitutional.

Justices said the US Constitution protected the right to keep and bear arms for the purpose of self-defence.

The ruling could potentially change laws on gun ownership in many of the US states.

Debate over the exact meaning of the constitutional right to keep and bear arms has raged for years in the US.

The ammendment reads: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.”

Two years ago, the court ruled a ban on handguns in Washington DC was unconstitutional – declaring that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to possess guns, at least for purposes of self-defence in the home.

But Washington is a federal city, with a unique legal standing. Gun rights proponents almost immediately filed a federal lawsuit challenging gun control laws in Chicago, Illinois, and its suburb of Oak Park, where handguns have been banned for nearly 30 years.

In Monday’s ruling on that challenge the justices said the Second Amendment right “applies equally to the federal government and the states”.

Correspondents say the ruling will be seen as a blow to efforts to reduce the role of firearms in American life.

The justices seen as the more liberal – Stevens, Breyer, Ginsburg and Sotomayor – voted against the latest ruling.

The case was brought by four Chicago residents as well as local firearms rights activists and the National Rifle Association.

The latest Supreme Court decision does not explicitly strike down the Chicago area laws, but it orders a federal appeals court to reconsider its ruling – leaving little doubt that the laws will eventually be overturned.

The NRA welcomed the “landmark decision” of the court.

“The NRA will work to ensure this constitutional victory is not transformed into a practical defeat by activist judges, defiant city councils or cynical politicians who seek to pervert, reverse or nullify the Supreme Court’s McDonald decision,” said NRA executive vice-president Wayne LaPierre.

Originally Appeared: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/us_and_canada/10438332.stm

Arroyo urged to suspend issuance of gun permits

Friday, June 25th, 2010

By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 18:22:00 06/21/2010

MANILA, Philippines – Alarmed by the shooting deaths of three journalists last week, a gun control advocate has called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to save lives during her remaining days in Malacañang by holding the issuance of permits to carry firearms in public.

Gunless Society founder Nandy Pacheco on Monday said Arroyo should immediately issue an executive order suspending the processing of permits to publicly bear firearms citing the string of gun-related violence that occurred after the lifting of the nationwide election gun ban.

“We’ve got to save lives now. In her remaining few days, President Arroyo should help reduce the risk. We’re trying to prevent people from killing other people,” said Pacheco.

“She should do it now,” he said.

Pacheco made the statement as he expressed concern over the shooting of journalists since Monday last week. The killings happened days after the five-month election-related gun ban lapsed on June 9.

“Once the gun ban ended, the issuance of permits to carry firearms is back to normal. Criminals are able to mix with ordinary people. The point is, this is disturbing. You can be shot anytime,” he said.

Pacheco also challenged President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, a known gun enthusiast, to push for a gun control law during his term.

Originally Appeared: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100621-276818/Arroyo-urged-to-suspend-issuance-of-gun-permits

J’can Diaspora and US to have gun control talks

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

BY COREY ROBINSON
Sunday Observer reporter

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Tighter screening of containers leaving the US for Jamaica will be among the topics for discussion when members of the Jamaican Diaspora meet with the US State Department in coming weeks.

Chairman of the Jamaica Diaspora US north-east Region Patrick Beckford said the group had been “quietly lobbying our politicians, congressmen and senators, especially for ex-raying the containers that come to Jamaica”.

“We have received a very positive response from them. In fact, when I go back and meet with the state department, that is one of the subjects that I will address,” he said.

He was speaking at the inaugural Observer Press Club forum, held at the newspaper’s head offices in Kingston on Thursday.

Police sources have said that all of the major gun finds have indicated that the weapons originated in the United States, where the Second Amendment to that country’s constitution gives citizens the right to bear arms. This has proven problematic for local authorities who spend millions trying to detect and seize illegal weapons shipped to the island.

Beckford, who noted that the second amendment was a “touchy issue”, said tighter screening is one of the few measures that can be used to stop the guns entering the island.

He, however, could not give a specific date for the meeting with the State Department, offering only that it was slated for either “next week or the week after”.

In April, Prime Minister Bruce Golding cited the shipment of guns from the United States as one of the main contributors to Jamaica’s growing crime problem, and said negotiations were underway to stem the problem.

“A resolution before the United Nations for an international convention to restrict the illegal trafficking in small arms is still the subject of negotiations.

“In the meanwhile, we intend to renew our efforts to strengthen bilateral co-operation with the US with a view to addressing the flow of illegal guns from the US to Jamaica with the same vigour that we seek to apply to the flow of illegal drugs from Jamaica to the US,” said Golding, during his contribution to the debate on the 2010 national budget.

But member of the Diaspora advisory board, David Mullings, while admitting that the US’ second amendment legislation contributes to the prevalence of illegal firearms in Jamaica, said it is not the prerogative of that country to curb the problem.

“We of the Diaspora will not be able to lobby the US to change their laws. What we need to focus on is what laws we can change in Jamaica,” he said.

“We need to figure out why people want guns, and how do we prevent them from getting the guns, and how do we make them afraid to even use the guns,” he said, adding that even if guns were prevented from entering Jamaica from the US, criminals would find alternative means of supply through Haiti and other countries.

Sylbourne Sydal, member of Facilitators for A Better Jamaica (FFBJ) in the United Kingdom, added that Jamaican authorities should look at shutting down the supply of bullets and not necessarily the influx of illegal guns, as a primary means of controlling gun crimes.

He also said more emphasis should be placed on reintegrating deportees to the island so they will not resort to crime as an option for survival.

Originally Appeared: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/J-can-Diaspora-and-US-to-have-gun-control-talks_7723600

Arroyo urged to suspend issuance of gun permits

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 18:22:00 06/21/2010

Filed Under: Media killings, Firearms

MANILA, Philippines – Alarmed by the shooting deaths of three journalists last week, a gun control advocate has called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to save lives during her remaining days in Malacañang by holding the issuance of permits to carry firearms in public.

Gunless Society founder Nandy Pacheco on Monday said Arroyo should immediately issue an executive order suspending the processing of permits to publicly bear firearms citing the string of gun-related violence that occurred after the lifting of the nationwide election gun ban.

“We’ve got to save lives now. In her remaining few days, President Arroyo should help reduce the risk. We’re trying to prevent people from killing other people,” said Pacheco.

“She should do it now,” he said.

Pacheco made the statement as he expressed concern over the shooting of journalists since Monday last week. The killings happened days after the five-month election-related gun ban lapsed on June 9.

“Once the gun ban ended, the issuance of permits to carry firearms is back to normal. Criminals are able to mix with ordinary people. The point is, this is disturbing. You can be shot anytime,” he said.

Pacheco also challenged President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, a known gun enthusiast, to push for a gun control law during his term.

Originally Appeared: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100621-276818/Arroyo-urged-to-suspend-issuance-of-gun-permits

Gardai order audit of country’s gun owners

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

13 June 2010
By John Burke, Public Affairs Correspondent

Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has ordered an audit of the country’s gun owners, amid concerns over the ‘‘large number’’ of unregistered firearms across the country.

Firearms groups were informed about the audit on June 2, the same day that 12 people were shot dead in Cumbria by taxi driver Derrick Bird. The audit will be conducted in ‘‘early July’’, according to correspondence seen by The Sunday Business Post.

It will be carried out by garda superintendents in each district nationwide, under legislation originally devised to tackle organised crime gangs.

The nationwide audit is aimed at people who own licensed guns, but may have lapsed in re-licensing some or all of their firearms.

Anyone found in possession of an unlicensed gun faces the prospect of their ‘‘firearms being seized or may even render them liable to prosecution’’, according to the correspondence.

The audit will follow National Firearms Awareness Day, which is designated for this Wednesday, when gardaí will be making themselves available at garda stations nationwide to advise on how to obtain permits under the new three-year licensing system.

Prior to the new licence system being launched, there were more than 230,000 firearms licensed in the state, of which more than 177,000 were shotguns.

‘‘Large numbers of firearms owners have still not yet re-applied for their new three year firearm certificates,” according to the letter from the gardaí to gun groups. All old gun licences expire at the end of this month.

The government is engaged in a dispute with gun groups over the new licensing regime, as well as recent garda decisions over the issue of permits for certain handguns.

The state last week said it would oppose a High Court application by a pistol shooter, Patrick Herlihy, who has challenged a District Court judge’s refusal to grant him firearms certificates for six pistols – the judge refused to grant certificates for the guns on the grounds of their lethal nature.

Originally Appeared: http://www.sbpost.ie/news/ireland/gardai-order-audit-of-countrys-gun-owners-49882.html

Renew your firearms licence via your iPhone

Monday, June 21st, 2010

There’s an app for everything

By Robert Blincoe

18th June 2010 13:47 GMT

Sussex Police plan to allow gun owners to renew their firearms licences using an iPhone app.

The app will be part of a suite allowing the public to access news, appeals and other services form their iPhone.

The technology push is intended to save £3m, freeing up valuable cop time, but means firearms applicants won’t have to see the police face-to-face, at the form-filling stage. There will still need to be an interview and home inspection down the line.

This step hasn’t gone down well following so soon after Derrick Bird’s shooting spree through Cumbria, when he killed 12 people. The Cumbrian forces’ firearms procedures are being reviewed as a result.

Gun control campaigners including Mothers Against Murder and Aggression and the Gun Control Network have spoken out against the plan.

Currently firearms applications require applicants to fill out the paperwork at pre-arranged police station meetings.

The mobile phone app proposals will be discussed with forces across England and Wales at the Sussex Police’s social media conference in Brighton on June 25.

Original Appeared: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/18/iphone_firearms_licence/

No gun ban extension – PNP

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
Article posted June 06, 2010 – 01:27 AM
The nationwide gun ban will be lifted on June 9, and stricter measures on gun control will be put in place instead of extending the gun ban’s effectivity, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced Friday.

The policy was announced during the PNP’s second gun summit in Camp Crame on Friday, where participants conceded to just supporting stricter measures on firearms control.

“There will be no gun ban extension. The policies on carrying guns before the election period will be reinstated,” said PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa.

The gun ban went into effect on January 10, after the Commission on Elections ordered it in place as part of implementing election law as applied to the recent May 10 polls.

Nearly 3,000 individuals, including some 200 government employees, have been apprehended during the period.

Some 300 representatives from various sectors who were present in the summit were unable to come to a general agreement on whether the gun ban should be extended or not.

Summit participants finally agreed to the lifting of the ban if stricter measures on gun ownership will be enforced.

The proposed stricter gun policies include limiting the security details for politicians and VIPs (Very Important Persons), and stricter requirements for those who are seeking a Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR).

“They also agreed to support our proposal for stricter penalties for those who will be caught possessing unlicensed firearms or guns with expired licenses,” Verzosa added.

A post-gun summit will likewise be held next week, where the proposals for stricter gun control will be finalized.

Some sectors, including the PNP itself, earlier called for an extension in the effectivity of the gun ban, citing the reported decrease in the incidence of crime.

Earlier in the summit, the PNP presented a survey it commissioned which showed majority of Metro Manila residents want the gun ban extended.

Based on the survey, 73.8 percent of the 400 respondents from the National Capital Region (NCR) believe the total gun ban should remain in force after June 9.

The NCR survey is part of the ongoing nationwide study targeted to involve 4,400 respondents, the results of which are set to be released mid-June.

The survey likewise showed that 81.5 percent of the respondents agreed that police checkpoints should remain in place even after elections, as majority of the respondents believe it resulted in the reduction of the incidence of crime.

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina earlier said the police agency is holding a stakeholders’ summit to tackle proposals for “responsible gun ownership” by civilians.

But presidential front-runner Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who practices target shooting himself as a hobby, expressed apprehensions on the total gun ban.

“It’s a nice imagery for you to say total gun ban, where nobody has guns, but there is a fine print: Nobody who follows the laws will have guns,” Aquino said.—JMA/JV, GMANews.TV

Originally appeared: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/192767/no-gun-ban-extension-pnp#

CHR chief unconvinced of gun ban

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
By MARVYN N. BENANING
June 7, 2010, 4:12pm

The country’s human rights watchdog is not convinced that a gun ban would solve the problem of the proliferation of firearms.

Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairwoman Leila M. de Lima told participants of the National Firearms Control Program Consultative Summit at Camp Crame last Friday that the commission “supports the proposition that the current gun ban should be extended, but only to the extent that it paves the way towards a radical change in the enforcement of gun control.”

She said: “On one hand, a total gun ban smacks of slackness on the part of law enforcement agencies to carry out the existing laws on firearms control. Totally banning guns is an over-simplified solution to addressing the proliferation of firearms. It goes well beyond the scope of existing government regulation on gun ownership and use.”

The issue also covers areas where firearms are used with impunity for extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, clan warfare and even for repression of political adversaries.

De Lima said what is needed is for the Philippine National Police (PNP), government and concerned parties in general to “consider a more balanced and thoughtfully designed plan curbing gun-related crimes.”

While CHR respects gun ownership, the right of all citizens to security of their life and property must be protected, De Lima said.

She argued that the right to bear arms is not a fundamental right in the country since the Supreme Court has already ruled that gun possession is an exception rather than the rule and that it is a “mere privilege, not a constitutional right.”

No such right is enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

This being the case, “the right to bear arms cannot be considered as absolute as to be placed beyond the reach of the State’s police power. All property in the state is held subject to its general regulations, necessary to the common good and general welfare.”

Public interest requires the application of police power but the employment of this power requires that it not be unduly oppressive upon individuals.

“The question now is whether rash criminality and human rights violations can be curbed by enforcing a gun ban, particularly when and where it is needed. This is particularly essential in places where extralegal killings, enforced disappearance and torture are rampant,” De Lima said.

“There must be serious efforts to disarm and dismantle private armies. Governments must support communities in eliminating the insecurity, fear and instability that often lead people to acquire and keep guns. If this requires a limited gun ban in these areas, then the ban should continue as to these places,” she added.

“Be that as it may, the CHR does not consider a total gun ban reasonable or feasible. Effective control is still the key, and this includes not only enforcing existing regulations on gun control, but the enforcement of gun control checkpoints as in the case of the Election Gun Ban,” De Lima said.

“We propose that the gun ban should be extended only for the purpose of transitioning into a stronger policy of effective gun control. Gun control naturally must include many other operations, such as intercepting illegal shipments of high-powered firearms, confiscation of unregistered guns, dismantling of private armies and many more. But the gun ban, as currently enforced, provides a key ingredient as well to gun control,” the CHR chief stressed.

“We agree with pro-gun advocates that persons who legitimately own guns and who are permitted to transport the same eventually should not be prevented from doing so. We only ask that the proponents to the gun ban carry out the necessary preparations in enforcing checkpoints once the Election Gun Ban ceases and new gun control mechanisms are in place, such as issuing the essential guidelines for inquiring into the possession of firearms from motorists and other persons in transit, and the procedure in checking for permits and licenses,” De Lima said.

Copyright 2010. Manila Bulletin


Originally Appeared: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/260979/gun-ban-won-t-solve-problem-chr-chief

PNP stresses need for effective gun control

Friday, June 4th, 2010

By Vernadette Joven (philstar.com) Updated June 04, 2010 04:00 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa stressed the importance of having an effective implementation of the gun control program.

Speaking at the opening ceremonies of the Gun Summit this morning in Camp Crame, Quezon City, Versoza said now is the perfect time to have an efficient gun control program in the country.

“This initiative comes at a most significant time when we are freshly reeling from the successful culmination of a 150-day election period during, which we strictly implemented a nationwide firearms prohibition under the same spirit and intent of this National Firearms Control Program (NFCP) that we seriously look forward to achieve,” Versoza said.

The PNP chief said that the main objective of the summit is to review the implementation of various components under the NCFP, which was established last year to address the growing concern over the proliferation of loose firearms.

After the assessment, the NCFP will focus on five components, namely rationalized firearms control, provisions of security detail, legislative agenda, accounting, inventory and registration of firearms. and continuing law enforcement actions.

“By hosting this event, the PNP seeks to facilitate a lively and open exchange of opinion to energize our common desire for effective gun control,” Versoza added.

Representatives of the Department of Interior Local Government and the National Police Commission were also present in the summit.


Originally Appeared: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=581305&publicationSubCategoryId=200

David Cameron opposes ‘knee-jerk reaction’ on gun laws

Friday, June 4th, 2010

BBC News

Thursday, 3 June 2010

David Cameron has said there should not be a “knee-jerk reaction” to changing the laws on gun ownership after 12 people were shot dead in Cumbria.

The prime minister said everything must be done to make sure it “cannot happen again”, but existing controls were among the “toughest” in the world.

He was speaking after Home Secretary Theresa May said the government would “consider all the options” on gun laws.

But she told MPs it would be “wrong to react before we know the full facts”.

Mr Cameron, who is to visit Cumbria on Friday, told journalists at a joint press conference with Canada’s PM Stephen Harper “today is a day for mourning and prayer”.

He said his thoughts were with all those affected by the “absolutely horrific events” which had left a “close-knit” group of communities “deeply torn”.

‘Flick a switch’

The government would do everything it could to help “mend the hurt” caused by the incident, he said but while it was right that laws and practices on gun ownership should be looked at, he said there was not always “an instant legislative or regulatory answer”.

He stressed that gun licences had to be regularly reviewed and the procedures for doing so were strict.

“Of course we should look at this issue but we should not leap to knee-jerk conclusions on what should be done on the regulatory front. We do have some of the toughest legislation in the world,” he said.

He added: “You can’t legislate to stop a switch flicking in someone’s head and this sort of dreadful action taking place.”

It is not yet known what prompted Derrick Bird to drive around shooting people – leaving 11 injured as well as the 12 dead.

Mrs May told MPs it was “right and proper” to have a debate after the killings but warned it would be “wrong to react before we know the full facts”.

She said more than 100 detectives were taking part in the investigation and would be looking into Bird’s history, his access to firearms and the “motivation for his actions”. Police have confirmed that he had licences for the two weapons he used – a shotgun and a .22 rifle.

A number of government departments were standing ready to provide support to local police, the local authority and charities, she said.

She said MPs’ thoughts would go out to the “family and friends of those so senselessly killed and injured” in the shootings and paid tribute to the work of the emergency services.

‘Extremely rare’

“Undoubtedly, yesterday’s killings will prompt a debate about our country’s gun laws, that is understandable and indeed it is right and proper,” she said.

“But it would be wrong to react before we know the full facts. Today we must remember the innocent people who were taken from us as they went about their lives, then, we must allow the police time to complete their investigations.”

She said once the police the government would “enter into, and lead, that debate” adding: “We will consider all the options.” MPs would get the chance to take part before the summer recess, she said.

Mrs May added that mass killings were “extremely rare” in Britain but said: “That doesn’t make it any the less painful, and it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do everything we can to stop it happening again.”

“Where there are lessons to be learned, we will learn them. Where there are changes to be made, we will make them. ”

Shadow home secretary Alan Johnson said these were “dark times for a strong a close-knit community” and sent his condolences to those affected by the “tragic” events.

He agreed there should be no rush to change firearms laws but said they should be reviewed.

Prohibition call

He said there should be a focus on whether follow-up checks on licence holders were “adequate” and whether there should be a greater role for GPs and the NHS in assessing whether gun owners’ mental health was deteriorating.

Lib Dem MP John Pugh questioned how a “simple taxi driver could possibly justify the apparently lawful possession of such a formidable and devastating arsenal” and how killings could be prevented in future. Mrs May said it would not be right for her to comment before the police inquiry was completed.

Labour’s John Woodcock – the MP for neighbouring Barrow and Furness – asked for any review to look at, not only firearms legislation but at local mental health services and to look at “how an apparently reserved member of the community suddenly snapped and was capable of such evil deeds”.

And Labour MP Chris Williamson said the government should not “rule out the possibility of the complete prohibition of private ownership of firearms as the best way of preventing future atrocities like this”.

However Labour MP Kate Hoey Britain already had “the most stringent gun control laws in Europe”. And Conservative MP John Whittingdale said the “vast majority” of British gun owners shared the “dismay” about the events in Cumbria.

Originally Appeared: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/politics/10225885.stm

The government would do everything it could to help “mend the hurt” caused by the incident, he said but while it was right that laws and practices on gun ownership should be looked at, he said there was not always “an instant legislative or regulatory answer”.

He stressed that gun licences had to be regularly reviewed and the procedures for doing so were strict.

“Of course we should look at this issue but we should not leap to knee-jerk conclusions on what should be done on the regulatory front. We do have some of the toughest legislation in the world,” he said.

He added: “You can’t legislate to stop a switch flicking in someone’s head and this sort of dreadful action taking place.”

It is not yet known what prompted Derrick Bird to drive around shooting people – leaving 11 injured as well as the 12 dead.

Pro-gun group aims for looser laws

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 08:56:00 05/31/2010

Filed Under: Police

MANILA, Philippines—A group of gun enthusiasts is countering police calls for an extension of the election gun ban with its own call for laws liberalizing gun ownership.

The Gun Enthusiasts Confederation of the Philippines (GECP) argued that loosening restrictions on firearms ownership would, in fact, deter violence.

GECP president Perry Punla said the group’s “total pro-gun” proposal would prevent rather than spur inappropriate gun use because gun owners would be held liable in court.

Punla also called for simplified regulations on gun ownership. He said a gun owner’s license should likewise be recognized as a permit to bear arms, doing away with the current requirement for firearm owners to obtain separate permits—to own guns and to carry them.

Punla likened a deadly weapon to a car: “To those saying that guns are deadly, that’s the wrong notion because what’s deadly is the person who handles the gun. This is not different from a driver: It’s not the car that kills but the driver.”

Punla said the Philippine National Police (PNP) was undermanned and could not protect all the citizens.

The PNP, on the other hand, is calling for the extension of the gun ban beyond the election period that will end on June 9. The PNP noted that firearms had cost lives even in simple traffic-related quarrels.

At a press conference at Camp Crame last week, PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa clarified that he was not proposing a total gun ban but rather “gun control,” where people would be allowed to carry weapons but under strict controls.

He said the police organization would discuss and propose “innovations” for enhanced gun control legislation during the second National Firearms Control Summit proposed to be held on June 2.

With a report from Jocelyn Uy

Originally appeared: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100531-273062/Pro-gun-group-aims-for-looser-laws