IMPLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC ACT 10591 KNOWN AS COMPREHENSIVE FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION REGULATION ACT AT BATASAN HILLS QUEZON CITY

Abstract

Republic Act No. 10591, known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, was enacted to enhance public safety by ensuring responsible firearm ownership and preventing the illegal acquisition and use of firearms. The law outlines the requirements and procedures for obtaining a license to own and possess firearms, as well as the responsibilities and obligations of gun owners. ​ In Batasan Hills, Quezon City, the implementation of RA 10591 has been evident through various law enforcement activities. For instance, in January 2025, a 33-year-old man named Raffy Radaza was arrested for alleged gun possession and robbery in the area. He was charged with violating RA 10591 in relation to the Omnibus Election Code. ​ Additionally, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been actively conducting "Oplan Katok," a year-round initiative aimed at ensuring firearm holders comply with the law. This program involves visiting the residences of firearm holders to verify compliance with licensing and registration requirements. The PNP has emphasized that "Oplan Katok" is not politically motivated and is focused solely on enforcing RA 10591. ​  These enforcement actions in Batasan Hills reflect the ongoing efforts to implement RA 10591, aiming to enhance public safety and promote responsible firearm ownership. The study surveyed two groups: 20 police officers and 10 gun owners, totaling 30 respondents. The data collected were analyzed using mean frequency, percentage, and weighted mean. These are the statistical methods:​  Mean Frequency: This term is not standard in statistical analysis. It may refer to the average number of occurrences of a particular response or characteristic within your data set.​  Percentage: This indicates the proportion of respondents who selected a specific response or exhibit a particular characteristic, expressed as a percentage of the total sample.​  Weighted Mean: This is an average where each data point is multiplied by a predetermined weight, reflecting its importance or frequency in the dataset. The weighted mean is calculated by summing these products and dividing by the sum of the weights. This method is particularly useful when different data points contribute unequally to the final average.​  By employing these statistical tools, your analysis can effectively summarize and interpret the survey data, leading to meaningful conclusions about the implementation of Republic Act 10591 in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. The findings provide valuable insights into the implementation of Republic Act No. 10591 (RA 10591), the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, in Batasan Hills, Quezon City Respondent Demographics:  Age: 50% of respondents are aged between 26-33 years.​  Gender, Marital Status, and Education: The majority are male, married, and college graduates.​  Perceptions of RA 10591 Implementation:  Adherence and Enforcement: Most respondents agree that strict adherence to RA 10591's regulations and effective gun control measures indicate robust implementation.​  Penalties for Violations: Respondents strongly agree that the penalties outlined in RA 10591 serve as effective deterrents against illegal firearm possession and usage. The Act specifies severe penalties, such as reclusion temporal to reclusion perpetua (12 years and 1 day to 40 years) for unlawful acts like possessing three or more small arms or Class-A light weapons. ​  Uniform Application of Penalties: There is a strong consensus that RA 10591 mandates fair and uniform application of penalties to all Filipino citizens. The Act emphasizes equal enforcement of its provisions across the populace. ​  Awareness Campaigns: Respondents agree that awareness campaigns related to RA 10591 have been effective in promoting responsible firearm ownership. For instance, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been actively conducting "Oplan Katok," a year-round initiative aimed at ensuring firearm holders comply with the law. This program involves visiting the residences of firearm holders to verify compliance with licensing and registration requirements. ​  These findings suggest that the implementation of RA 10591 in Batasan Hills is perceived positively, with effective enforcement, stringent penalties, and successful awareness campaigns contributing to responsible firearm ownership and public safety. Republic Act No. 10591, known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, was enacted to tighten regulations on firearm ownership and possession in the Philippines, aiming to combat the proliferation of illegal weapons and enhance public safety. However, its effectiveness depends on proper implementation and enforcement.​