The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched a nationwide “Gun Safety Advocacy Campaign” through its Civil Security Group (CSG), urging licensed firearm owners across the country to maintain secure storage and responsible gun handling practices to safeguard their communities and households.
The campaign follows recent firearm-related incidents involving minors in school settings, which have heightened public concern regarding accessibility to legally registered weapons. PNP Chief, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., emphasized that lawful gun ownership extends beyond simply meeting licensing regulations.
“Recent firearm-related incidents involving minors remind us that gun safety cannot be taken for granted. We are strengthening our advocacy to ensure that legally owned firearms are properly handled, securely stored, and kept away from unauthorized persons,” PGEN Nartatez said.
Operating under the tagline “Own a gun responsibly. Gun safety is a continuing duty,” the initiative focuses on proper storage, safe operation, and preventative measures against unauthorized access.
To ensure broad reach, PGEN Nartatez instructed all Police Regional Offices, local police units, and the CSG to roll out educational seminars, public information drives, and stakeholder engagements across all regions.
“Enforcement is important but prevention can stop an incident from happening in the first place. Through public education and community participation, we want responsible firearm ownership and safe handling to become part of everyday practice,” PGEN Nartatez said.
Integrated into the PNP’s Focused Agenda and the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) program, the effort seeks to foster a lasting culture of precaution among gun owners.
“Owning a firearm comes with a continuing duty to keep it safe and secure. A license to own a gun also means taking responsibility for ensuring that it does not reach a person who is not authorized to have it,” PGEN Nartatez also said.