Short answer

No. Pawning a firearm—licensed or not—is unlawful in the Philippines. Firearms may only be transferred, stored, or handled in strictly defined ways under the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (Republic Act No. 10591) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). Pawnshops are not licensed firearms dealers or authorized depositories, so handing them a gun (even as loan collateral) results in illegal transfer and illegal possession.

Why pawning is unlawful

1) Firearms commerce is tightly licensed

RA 10591 allows only licensed manufacturers, importers, and dealers to engage in the business of receiving, holding, or disposing of firearms. A pledge/pawn requires delivering the thing to the pawnshop as security. Because pawnshops are not licensed firearms dealers, taking possession of a gun as collateral is not a permitted activity.

2) Unauthorized transfer of possession

Even if you do not intend to “sell” the gun, delivery of possession to someone who is not legally authorized is treated as an unlawful transfer/disposition under RA 10591. The law regulates both ownership and possession. The firearm is registered to a particular person or entity; anyone else who physically holds it must also be authorized for that specific firearm and purpose.

3) Pawnshop’s possession would be illegal

Pawnshop staff who receive the gun would be in unlawful possession (they have no License to Own and Possess Firearm (LTOPF) for that unit, nor a dealer’s license). This exposes both the pledgor and the pledgee to criminal liability and administrative sanctions (revocation of the owner’s licenses/permits).

4) Transporting the firearm to a pawnshop would be another problem

Moving a firearm outside your residence requires proper authority (e.g., a Permit to Carry Firearm Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) for defensive carry or a specific transport authority for range/gunsmith travel). Bringing a gun to a pawnshop does not fit any lawful transport category.

5) Bangko Sentral–regulated pawnshops avoid prohibited items

Philippine pawnshops are regulated and, as a matter of compliance and risk, do not accept firearms, ammunition, or explosives as pledges. Even aside from RA 10591, pawnshops’ standard operating policies prohibit these items.

“But what if I only use the gun as collateral on paper?”

Pledge vs. chattel mortgage (and why both still fail)

Pledge (pawn): Requires delivery of possession to the pledgee. That physical turnover is already an unlawful transfer.
Chattel mortgage: Hypothetically lets the debtor keep possession, but a firearm is a highly regulated movable. Any encumbrance that leads to creditor possession (e.g., default and foreclosure) would again place the gun in the hands of a non-authorized possessor. RA 10591 and its IRR require PNP–Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) authorization for any transfer or disposition; creditors are not exempt.

Bottom line: Using a firearm as collateral—by pledge or mortgage—inevitably collides with the firearms law once possession or disposition is implicated. It is not a workable or lawful structure in practice.

What you can do instead (lawful options)

Sell the firearm legally
- Buyer must hold a valid LTOPF and be eligible to own that firearm type.
- Process the Authority to Transfer and registration transfer with PNP–FEO (including the firearm’s records/ballistics as applicable and official receipts).
- If you want help finding a buyer, consign with a licensed firearms dealer; the dealer can lawfully take possession and sell on your behalf.
Temporary safekeeping with authorities
- If you cannot lawfully keep or carry the firearm (e.g., LTOPF lapse, travel, estate issues), coordinate with PNP–FEO for safekeeping/turn-in procedures pending renewal or disposition.
Secure storage under the rules
- Keep the firearm in your registered address in a compliant gun safe with ammunition stored separately, or store it through authorized avenues (e.g., with a licensed dealer for gunsmithing/maintenance) with proper documentation.

Penalties and consequences to expect if you pawn

Criminal liability for unlawful transfer/possession under RA 10591 (penalties vary by firearm classification and circumstances).
Administrative sanctions including revocation of your LTOPF and firearm registration, forfeiture of the firearm, and disqualification from future licensing.
Pawnshop exposure to criminal charges for unlawful possession and to regulatory penalties for receiving prohibited items.

FAQs

Is there any way to “paper” a pawn so it’s legal? No. A valid pledge requires delivery; delivery to a non-authorized entity is unlawful under RA 10591. Even creative paperwork cannot cure a transfer that the statute forbids.

Can a bank or lender list my firearm as collateral without physically holding it? Even if a lender lists it as collateral, any realization of that security interest (foreclosure, turnover) would trigger transfer/possession problems unless routed through a licensed dealer and PNP–FEO-approved transfer to an eligible person. Lenders generally avoid firearms collateral for this reason.

Can I lend my licensed firearm to a friend or relative? No. Lending a firearm to someone not specifically authorized for that unit is unlawful possession. The registered owner remains responsible and can face penalties.

What if I already handed my gun to a pawnshop? Seek counsel immediately and coordinate with PNP–FEO to recover and regularize the situation. Voluntary surrender and prompt rectification can materially affect outcomes, but do not delay.

Practical checklist (if you need cash and own a firearm)

Do not bring the gun to any pawnshop.
Consider a legal sale: screen a buyer with a valid LTOPF.
Or consign with a licensed dealer and let them handle compliance.
Keep documents: LTOPF, registration, OR/CR, transfer authority, dealer consignment papers.
When in doubt, consult a Philippine firearms law practitioner or PNP–FEO for the current documentary requirements and fees.

Key legal anchors to know

RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and IRR (PNP–FEO).
PNP–FEO rules on LTOPF, firearm registration, transfer/authority to transfer, and safekeeping.
Regulatory policies of licensed firearms dealers and pawnshops (which, as a rule, do not and cannot accept firearms).

Takeaway

Pawning a licensed firearm in the Philippines is not allowed. If you need liquidity, pursue a lawful transfer (sale) through PNP–FEO procedures or work with a licensed dealer—never a pawnshop.