Philippines Airsofters seek exemption to Election Period Gun Ban

Originally published by the ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines – Airsoft gun owners on Wednesday urged the Supreme Court to exempt airsoft guns from a nationwide election gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections.

In a 14-page petition, lawyer Reynante Orceo, founder of Easternbloc Airsoft Philippines, asked the Supreme Court to declare as unconstitutional a provision in Comelec Resolution No. 8714, which bans all persons from carrying firearms and deadly weapons in public places including public buildings, streets, parks and private vehicles from January 10 to June 9, 2010.

Aside from regular firearms and deadly weapons, also covered by the ban are air guns and replications, as well as bladed instruments, hand grenades, and other explosives except for fireworks.

Orceo, however, said Republic Act 8294 or An Act Amending the Provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1866 or the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition law, did not mention airsoft guns and their replica in classifying different firearms.

“In including airsoft gun within the meaning of firearm, the subject resolution in effect criminalizes the sport and playing the game makes it irrelevant if one’s possession of airsoft gun and their replica/imitation is now covered by prohibited acts notwithstanding that there is still no law that governs the use thereof,” he said in his petition.

He asked the Court to direct the Comelec to issue a resolution allowing the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies deputized by the Comelec to desist from further enforcing Resolution No. 8714.

Easternbloc Airsoft Philippines is an alliance of airsofters composed of professionals, businessmen, students and government workers based in the eastern part of Rizal province.

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Editor commentary. This pre-election gun ban has really hampered our Philippine comrades to partake in our beloved sport. Just the simple act of transporting their equipment to a skirmish can land them in jail. I wish them success with the the petition.

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