Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines

Total Gun Ban (2013)

After the shooting that killed eight people in Kawit, Cavite, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) convince the government to study carefully the proposal to implement the total gun ban in the country. "It's for the government to study. There may be some people who may be Allowed in some circumstances but in general the spirit is good, only that we have to what others say Consider also the right to protected themselves, "said CBCP President Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma in an interview. Palma said that should be holding the government in the provision of license ownership and possession of gun.

"The giving of license is very loose not strict and the government knows that. They are even making every effort to make the licensing of guns more strict and of course to see to it that people who are allowed to use guns are indeed psychologically or emotionally reliable or safe, "Palma's said. Supported also by other bishops Palma's proposal, saying that if ever impossible total gun ban, the government should restrict the ownership of guns.

Former Crime and Victims Against Corruption (VACC) Chairman Dante Jimenez called for the total gun ban in the country following the death of seven-year-old Stephanie Nicole Ella, who was hit by a stray bullet in the head at the height of welcoming the New Year.

Further the heat up the debate over guns, Ronald Bae, killed eight people and wounded 10 others. He was shot and killed by police. Instead of a total gun ban, groups on both sides of the gun debate on Thursday urged senators to pass a bill that would enforce stricter gun controls to prevent crimes related to loose firearms.

Sen. Gringo Honasan, chairman of the committee on public order, said a "comprehensive" bill that spells out graver penalties for possession of unregistered firearms could still be approved in the nine remaining session days between January and February if President Aquino certifies the bill as urgent. Honasan wants to raise the penalty for illegal gun possession to 12 years imprisonment from the current six to 12 years.

Senators urged at the hearing called by the Honasan meeting, representatives of the Firearms Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (Famap), Gunless Society of the Philippines, Peaceful Responsible Owners of Guns (ProGun), National Prosecutors League of the Philippines and Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) urged senators to work on provisions for tighter gun control. Claiming that illegal firearms are the ones "causing crimes in the country," Famap's Gina Marie Angangco said Famap supported "stiffer penalties for unlicensed possession and manufacture."

State prosecutor Ferdinand Parayno argued that a total gun ban would work against the interest of government officials whose lives may be under threat from those who are displeased