Manila: Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri is advocating for a dual-focused firearms agenda aimed at enhancing legal protections for law-abiding gun owners while imposing stricter penalties on firearm owners whose negligence results in deadly crimes.

According to Philippines News Agency, Zubiri emphasized Senate Bill (SB) Nos. 1555 and 1897 as crucial measures designed to promote responsible gun ownership and bolster public safety. SB 1555 aims to strengthen the right to self-defense by establishing a legal presumption of unlawful aggression in situations involving forced or illegal entry into an individual's home, vehicle, or place of business.

Zubiri stated, "In moments of danger, a person only has seconds to act," clarifying that the measure is intended to protect victims of unlawful attacks rather than to encourage violence. Additionally, Zubiri reiterated his support for SB 1897, which suggests amendments to the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The proposed legislation seeks to expand exemptions from threat assessment certificates, increase permissible ammunition limits, reduce the election gun ban to 45 days before and five days after elections, simplify the transfer of firearm ownership due to death or incapacity, offer a one-year amnesty for license registration or renewal, and lessen regulatory requirements for local defense manufacturers under the Self-Reliant Defense Posture program.

Simultaneously, Zubiri urged for increased criminal liability against owners who fail to properly secure their firearms, noting that recent shooting incidents were a result of negligence rather than responsible gun ownership. He argued that while the owners may not have directly pulled the trigger, their negligence allowed tragedies to occur, highlighting the inadequacy of current penalties under Republic Act No. 10591 given the loss of innocent lives.