City officials split on proposed gun ban

Bacolod City officials have expressed varied sentiments over the proposed gun ban for next month’s MassKara Festival/
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he and Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director, Police Colonel Henry Biñas, agreed to impose a “total gun ban” across the city and not just at festival sites.
The mayor explained, gun owners are not supposed to carry their firearm outside of their residence during the gun ban.
However, the Bacolod City Sangguninag Panlungsod recently passed a resolution urging Biñas to consider the possibility of not imposing a gun ban. The resolution, authored by City  Councilor Al Victor Espino, explained that it is the policy of the state to maintain peace and order.
The legislation added, the state recognizes the right of qualified citizens to self-defense.
Espino noted, “In accordance with the implementing rules and regulations of RA 10591, otherwise known as the comprehensive law on firearms and ammunition, one of the requirements of carrying a firearm outside the residence or place of business is that there must be an actual or imminent danger on the life of the person who has a license or permit to carry a firearm.”
He added, the imposition of a gun ban order is not necessary during the festival because it will not diminish the actual threat or imminent danger on the life of a person permitted by law to carry a firearm./DGB, WDJ