Quezon City: The Philippine National Police (PNP) is pushing to streamline and make more accessible the process of renewing permits to carry firearms. PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III expressed the intention to fully computerize the renewal process for licenses to own, possess, and register firearms.

According to Philippines News Agency, applicants are currently required to visit Camp Crame in person to renew their firearm permits. Gen. Torre aims to change this by discussing with the Civil Security Group (CSG) ways to make the renewal and procurement processes more accessible. He emphasized that while owning firearms is not an explicitly stated right, it is a privilege that should be available to those who meet legal requirements. The goal is to ensure that qualified individuals are not denied this privilege.

The CSG, responsible for administrative and operational control over firearms, explosives, and private security industries, plays a key role in this initiative. Gen. Torre noted that Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) front offices are already established nationwide in major cities and provinces, indicating a foundation for expanding access to firearm-related services across the country.