Cuy lauds PNP’s simpler process for transferring gun ownership

Department of the Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy on Tuesday lauded the Philippine National Police for introducing a simpler system for acquiring provisional licenses to own and possess firearms (LTOPF).

Provisional licenses are only issued for transferring gun ownership.

In a press statement, Cuy said the new process is a timely development following complaints from gun owners.

"This is good news to our gun owners. Kudos to PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa for crafting this improved process for the benefit of the people," Cuy said.

According to Cuy's statement, the processing time for provisional licenses will be cut from 11 days to three days under the new system.

The documents needed have also been reduced from 11 to three: a fully accomplished application form, a P500 fee, and a valid identification card.

The new licensing system will go into effect within three weeks.

Under RA 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, the process for obtaining a new gun license includes mandatory drug testing, psychiatric evaluations and firearms proficiency tests.

Before it was streamlined, the process for obtaining a provisional license was almost the same and took several days to accomplish.

The PNP said the approved provisional LTOPF is valid for nine months and cannot be used for the purchase of new firearms. — BM, GMA News