Republic Act No. 10591, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013, serves as the principal statute governing the ownership, possession, carrying, manufacture, importation, and exportation of firearms and ammunition in the Philippines. Enacted on 29 May 2013 and signed into law by President Benigno S. Aquino III, the Act repealed Presidential Decree No. 1866, as amended, and established a unified, modern regulatory framework administered exclusively by the Philippine National Police (PNP) through its Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO), now known as the Firearms and Explosives Division (FED).

The 1987 Constitution contains no express right to keep and bear arms equivalent to the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. Firearm ownership and carrying are treated as privileges subject to strict regulation in the interest of public safety, peace, and order. Article II, Section 5 of the Constitution, which declares the maintenance of peace and order as a fundamental state policy, underpins the regulatory approach.

Key Definitions

Under Section 3 of RA 10591:

“Firearm” refers to any handheld or portable weapon, whether a small arm or light weapon, that expels or is designed to expel a bullet, shot, shell or other projectile by the action of an explosive or combustible propellant, including any replica or imitation thereof that is capable of being converted to fire a projectile.
“Carrying of firearms outside of residence or place of business” means the actual physical transport or bearing of a licensed firearm beyond the confines of one’s residence or authorized place of business.
“Concealed carry,” though not expressly defined in the statute, is the practical and accepted mode of carry authorized under a License to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence, wherein the firearm is hidden from ordinary public view so as not to cause alarm or public disturbance.

Licensing Framework

RA 10591 created two distinct but sequential licenses:

License to Possess Firearms (LPF) – authorizes ownership, possession, and storage within the licensee’s residence or place of business.
License to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (LCFOR or PTCFOR) – authorizes the licensee to carry the registered firearm beyond residence or place of business.

No person may lawfully carry a firearm outside residence without first securing both the LPF and the LCFOR. The LCFOR is issued only to holders of a valid LPF who demonstrate a genuine and compelling need.

Eligibility Requirements for License to Possess Firearms

An applicant must satisfy all of the following under Sections 4, 9 and the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR):

Filipino citizen or a foreign national with permanent resident status and reciprocity arrangement;
At least twenty-one (21) years of age;
No conviction for any crime involving moral turpitude or any offense punishable by more than two years imprisonment;
Not suffering from any mental illness or disorder, as certified by a duly licensed psychiatrist or psychologist;
Not a known drug user or dependent;
Not dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the Philippines or the PNP;
No pending criminal case or civil case that may result in disqualification;
Completion of a PNP-accredited firearms safety seminar and practical training;
Submission of:
- Duly accomplished application form;
- Barangay, police, NBI, and court clearances;
- Medical certificate;
- Psychological evaluation report;
- Proof of lawful source of income or business;
- Two (2) recent 2×2 photographs;
- Payment of prescribed fees.

The LPF is valid for five (5) years from issuance and is renewable upon compliance with the same requirements, minus the safety seminar if previously completed within the renewal period.

Requirements for License to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (Concealed Carry Permit)

Section 10 of RA 10591 provides that a holder of an LPF may apply for an LCFOR. Issuance is discretionary and granted only upon proof of genuine necessity. The PNP IRR enumerates the recognized categories of applicants who may qualify:

Elected public officials and members of the judiciary;
Government officials whose duties expose them to high risk;
Private individuals whose lives are under actual, imminent, or verifiable threat (supported by police or court records);
Businesspersons who regularly handle large amounts of cash or valuables;
Accredited members of the media with field assignments in high-risk areas;
Licensed private security personnel and company security guards (under separate authority);
Holders of special permits issued for legitimate sporting, hunting, or collection purposes when justified.

Additional mandatory requirements for LCFOR:

Submission of a notarized affidavit of justification detailing the specific threat or necessity;
Endorsement from the applicant’s city or municipal chief of police;
Additional firearms proficiency and tactical training certificate;
Payment of higher processing and licensing fees;
Background reinvestigation by the PNP Intelligence Group.

Only one handgun is ordinarily authorized per LCFOR, although limited exceptions exist for qualified security agencies. Long firearms (rifles and shotguns) are generally not authorized for routine concealed carry except under special permits for transport between residence and firing range or for authorized hunting.

The LCFOR is valid for five (5) years, co-terminus with the LPF, subject to annual verification and compliance with continuing training and safe-storage requirements.

Registration of Firearms

Every firearm must be individually registered with the PNP-FED in the name of the licensee. Transfers, sales, or inheritance require prior approval and re-registration. Failure to register renders the firearm contraband.

Prohibited Persons

Section 4 explicitly bars the following from obtaining any license:

Minors below 21 years;
Persons convicted of crimes of violence or moral turpitude;
Fugitives from justice;
Persons adjudged mentally incompetent;
Drug dependents or those convicted of violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act;
Persons dishonorably discharged from military or police service;
Persons under temporary restraining orders or protection orders involving violence.

Restricted Places and Prohibited Carrying

Even with a valid LCFOR, carrying is strictly prohibited in the following locations (Section 19 and IRR):

Schools, colleges, universities and their immediate premises;
Hospitals and medical clinics;
Places of worship;
Government offices and buildings;
Airports, seaports, and public transportation terminals;
Polling places and within 100 meters thereof during election periods;
Public markets and malls (subject to security rules);
Any place where the display or carrying of firearms is expressly prohibited by local ordinance or by the owner/proprietor.

Licensees must surrender firearms to security personnel or leave them in locked vehicles when entering restricted premises.

Duties of License Holders

Safe storage: Firearms must be kept unloaded and secured in a locked container when not carried.
Immediate reporting of loss or theft within 24 hours.
Prohibition on lending, transferring, or displaying the firearm in a manner that causes alarm.
Mandatory annual firearms requalification.
Compliance with “no-alcohol” rule while carrying.

Penalties for Violations

RA 10591 imposes severe penalties:

Carrying without LCFOR: prision correccional to prision mayor and fine of ₱100,000 to ₱300,000.
Illegal possession of unlicensed firearm: prision mayor to reclusion temporal and fine up to ₱500,000, with additional years if the firearm is used in the commission of a crime.
Carrying in prohibited places: confiscation, license revocation, and imprisonment of six months to two years.
Multiple or recidivist violations: permanent disqualification and higher penalties.

Confiscated firearms become property of the government.

Special Categories

Private Security Agencies and Guards: Governed by Republic Act No. 5487 (as amended) and PNP regulations; guards may carry while on duty under company authority but must comply with uniform and marking requirements.
Government Officials and Law Enforcement: Issued agency-specific authority; civilian officials follow the same LCFOR process but with expedited endorsement.
Foreign Nationals: Only permanent residents may apply; tourists and temporary visitors are prohibited from possessing or carrying firearms.
Sport Shooters and Collectors: May obtain transport permits but not routine LCFOR unless they qualify under threat categories.

Administration and Enforcement

The PNP-FED maintains a centralized national database of all licensed firearms and licensees. Regular audits, surprise inspections, and coordination with local police stations ensure compliance. Checkpoints and K9 units routinely verify documents and inspect vehicles for unauthorized firearms.

The regulatory system balances the legitimate need for self-defense in a country with persistent security challenges against the imperative to prevent proliferation of firearms in civilian hands. As of the latest consolidated regulations under RA 10591 and its IRR, the framework remains the sole legal basis for concealed carry by private citizens in the Philippines. All applications, renewals, and inquiries are processed exclusively through authorized PNP channels.