Tags: Crime and Punishment, Legislation
By Alexander Villafania
BANGUED, ABRA – The province of Abra is re-implementing a previous anti-toy gun law due to a rise in uncontrolled firearms-related crimes, especially in the provincial capital.
In addition, there have been numerous reports of children and youths carrying replica guns and shooting public lights as well as people.
Some of these replica guns are actually “airsoft” guns that look and feel like real firearms but shoot pellets. While these are not deadly, the pellets could still destroy property or injure people.
Newly-installed Bangued Municipal Police Chief Byrone Allatog said the law, which was implemented in 2000, should remind owners of toy and replica guns of the responsibility that is part of owning such items.
He also noted that youths having such items endanger their proper values formation, citing that while not entirely dangerous, toy and replica guns are weapons of violence.
Abra’s anti-toy ordinance was first introduced in 2000 by former Abra Provincial Board Member James Bersamin and former Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Jaime Lo.
Incidentally, Bersamin was shot dead in 2006 by alleged enemies in politics. Abra is also known for many of its private armies and there have been numerous incidences of political violence in previous elections.
Still, Allatog said he aims to pursue positive values formation among youths through the implementation of the anti-toy gun ordinance.
Penalties vary for violators. Manufacturing, displaying, and sale of toy guns would get an initial fine of 500 pesos and a warning of cancellation of business permit. A second offense would get a business permit cancellation while a third offense would mete out imprisonment for a year.
Meanwhile, possession of toy and replica guns would mete out a fine of 200 pesos for the first offense, 500 pesos for the second offense and a one-day community service, while the third offense would be 1,000 pesos and imprisonment of up to six months.
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