Every Family in the Philippines Should Own a Gun

(Beneficiality)

Today, I would like to present the opposing side of the debate on whether it is
beneficial to have a gun in every family in the Philippines. It is important to consider
the drawbacks and potential negative consequences. Here are the claims I want to
highlight in this debate. First, is the Accidents and Misuse of a gun in a Household
setting or structure of a person who owns a gun and lastly the escalation of violence.

So let's start on the first claim. One of the main concerns with having a gun in
every family is the risk of accidents and misuse. Firearms, if not handled properly
that can lead to unintentional injuries and even fatalities. According to Section 28
of Republic Act 10591, also known as the "Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition
Regulation Act" prohibits the unlawful acquisition or possession of ammunition and
penalizes the offense with a minimum prison term of six (6) to twelve (12) years.

In a household setting, where children may be present, the presence of a gun

increases the likelihood of accidents occuring. Even with strict regulations and safety
measures in place, the risk cannot be completely eliminated.

There is a case wherein the acccidental death of a 12 years old boy with dad’s gun
in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. The Bulacan provincial police’s initial report said
the boy managed to get hold of the PNP-issued gun owned by his father and
brought it to his school at the Benito Nieto Elementary School in their hometown.
The son shot himself inside a school around 5:40 am on Wednesday. Take note that
these cases, the guns belong to an armed personnels who are undergone to trainings
and know the rules of how to store properly a gun.

Another consideration is the potential for an escalation of violence. While the

intention of owning a gun may be for self-defense, there is a risk that it could lead to
more violence in confrontational situations. Without proper training and education on
conflict resolution, individuals may rely on firearms as a first resort, rather than
seeking peaceful resolutions.

As of March 8, 2204 the Philippine National Police (PNP) has classified over
700,000 guns with expired licenses as loose firearms. In a three-month crackdown,
they recovered, surrendered and confiscated a total of 8, 255 loose firearms.

The presence of guns in households can potentially lead to an escalation of

violence in several ways:

1. Availability during heated arguments: In situations of intense emotions or

conflicts within a household, the presence of a readily accessible firearm can increase
the likelihood of impulsive or rash decisions. When a gun is within reach, individuals
may be more inclined to use it as a means of resolving disputes, resulting in a
potentially lethal outcome.

According to www.gunpolicy.org, a site hosted by the University of Sydney's

School of Public Health in Australia, there are about 3.9 million guns legal and
illegal held by civilians in the Philippines about 4.7 % of the population.
 In 2019, there were over 1,200 intentional killings using firearms in the Philippines.
This required to guns killing one in evey 100,000 people in the country, which was
one of the highest rates in Asia.

2. Increased risk of domestic violence: Studies have shown a correlation between

the presence of firearms in households and an increased risk of domestic violence.
The availability of a gun can empower an abuser and further intimidate the victim,
making it more difficult for them to escape or seek help. In situations of domestic
violence, the presence of a firearm significantly raises the risk of fatal outcomes for
victims.

- MANILA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has

recorded 10,936 gun-related incidents, including shootings, from 2022 until this
year. The majority of them were shooting incidents, alarm and scandal, grave threat,
and robbery adding that 5,172 of the cases were recorded in 2022, 4,956 in 2023,
and 808 so far this year. In the Philippines 99.6% of firearms used in crime do not
have licences.

An armed citizens can act as a deterrent to criminals, there is evidence to suggest that
the proliferation of firearms can actually conribute to an increase of crime rates. 67%
proliferation of firearms is a major cause of crime and violence in the Philippines
and also showed that nearly four out of five Filipinos favor a law allowing only
law enforcers and licensed private security guards to carry firearms in public
places surveyed by the Pulse Asia. And in the Article 5, Section 32 of RA 10591
Unlawful Manufacture, Importation, Sale or Disposition of Firearms or Ammunition
or Parts Thereof, Machinery, Tool or Instrument Used or Intended to be Used in
the Manufacture of Firearms, Ammunition or Parts Thereof

The penalty of reclusion temporal1 to reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon any
person who shall unlawfully engage in the manufacture, importation, sale or
disposition of a firearm or ammunition, or a major part of a firearm or ammunition, or
machinery, tool or instrument used or intended to be used by the same person in the
manufacture of a firearm, ammunition, or a major part thereof…

In sum, the proposal to have gun in every family in the Philippines is fraught with
severe risks and potential negative repercussions. These include the frightening
possibility of accidents and misuse, especially in households with children and the
alarming escalation of violence that could incite. The grim reality is that firearms,
even when owned by trained personnel's can be a source of tragic incidents as
evidenced by the heartbreaking case of the 12-year old boy in San Jose Del Monte,
Bulacan. Furthermore, the presence of firearms can exacerbate violence, leading to
impulsive decisions in heated arguments and increased the domestic violence. The
fact that the Philippines has one of the highest rates of intentional killings using
firearms in Asia and that the majority of Filipinos believe that the proliferation of
firearms is a major cause of crime and violence underscores the gravity of the
situation. Therefore, the potential drawbacks of having gun in every household
appear to far outweigh any perceived benefits, urging a reconsiderations of this
proposition for the safety and well-being of Filipino families.