DILG proposes police inspections in gun owners' homes

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday proposed allowing the police to inspect the homes of gun owners to ensure that their firearms are safely stored.

During the House budget hearing for the DILG's proposed P332.5-billion budget for 2027, Remula said the move would require changes to the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) on the safekeeping of lawfully issued firearms.

“Now, what we are proposing is that the IRR has to be amended, that the PNP will be granted access to all homes of lawfully issued firearms to inspect their procedures in safekeeping,” Remulla said.

Under the proposed measure, the PNP would be given access to the homes of firearm holders with prior notice to check how their guns are being stored.

The proposal came after two incidents involving the unauthorized use of government-issued firearms in shootings in Tacloban and Zamboanga City.

Remulla acknowledged that allowing home inspections by the police could raise concerns over privacy and other rights.

However, the DILG chief noted that firearm ownership is a privilege granted by law and not a constitutional right. —VAL, GMA News