For presidential frontrunner Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, the total gun ban proposal did not sit well with him. As far as he is concerned, it would be better to consider proposals for stricter enforcement of laws banning the carrying of firearms outside of residence.

“If laws are rigidly enforced, good police work can solve crimes committed by outlaws,” said Aquino, who is himself a gun collector and used to be into practical shooting.

In an earlier interview with the Manila Bulletin, Aquino revealed that it was Dulce, the late wife of former Sen. Rene Saguisag, who told him that he has to have a sport as an outlet.

“That was when I got into practical shooting. Your effort is rewarded immediately, there is progress every week. Then later on, when I was given the chance to play in a (target shooting) competition, I won. That's when I said ‘Hey, here is where I can earn medals,’” Aquino explained.

“I did not go through formal testing, so I do not know how proficient I am in shooting. I have also stopped being a competitor. Only when a friend has a shooting range, I do indulge in this activity.

Twenty years ago, I was in the top ten nationwide in competition. But now, maybe, I can only land in the top thirty,” he went on to say.

Aquino said that he has his own reasons for owning guns.

“How many coups have I encountered. In our advocacies, we also made enemies. If there is no deterrent aspect, you will just encourage your enemies to do something bad to you,” he added.

Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is pushing for a permanent total gun ban, noting a marked decline in the crime rate since its implementation on Jan.10.

The number of individuals who violated the Philippines’ election gun ban is nearing the 3,000- mark.
Of these, more than 200 were government employees, including members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The PNP also disclosed that state security forces also seized 2,562 firearms, 846 gun replicas, 673 bladed weapons, and 279 explosives since last Jan. 10, the starting of the gun ban in the election campaign.

Likewise, Gunless Society of the Philippines had been pushing for a total ban in public places.
However, Aquino said he was not inclined to support total gun ban because the records showed that crimes related to licensed firearms comprised only one percent.

“The proposal is to come up with a law to control the behavior of the outlaws. By definition, the outlaw is beyond the law, not to live within the law, so I don’t (see) the logic of a law controlling the behavior of somebody who does not follow the law,” Aquino said.

He added that people applying for permits to own guns should be made to attend seminars before being granted the privilege to bring their weapons outside their homes. “Gun ban is a law that says you cannot bring your firearm outside your residence. Who will follow that? People who are law-abiding. Who are the targets of the criminals?”

Aquino pointed out the country only has 250,000 security forces to protect some 100 million Filipinos, noting that the population doubled from 50 million in 1986.