House okays bill setting validity of gun licenses to 5 to 10 years

The House of Representatives has approved on final reading a bill seeking to fix the validity of a license to own and possess a gun to five or ten years at the option of the licensee.

During Monday's plenary session, House Bill 10610 obtained 204 affirmative votes.

Further, the bill states that the permit to carry outside of residence or place of business shall be valid for two years from the date of approval of the application, unless sooner revoked or suspended.

According to the bill, failure to renew a license or registration within the periods stated shall cause the perpetual disqualification of the holder of the firearm from applying for any firearm license.

In the bill, application for renewal of the license or registration may be submitted to the Philippine National Police's Firearms and Explosives Office within six months before the date of the license's expiration.

The proposed measure also waives the requirement for a Threat Assessment Certificate for those who are considered to be in imminent danger due to the nature of their profession or business when seeking a permit to carry a firearm outside of their home or place of work. —NB, GMA News