Chel Diokno: Higher penalties should be imposed on irresponsible gun owners

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Higher penalties should be imposed to irresponsible gun owners who are found negligent in storing their firearms, Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno said Sunday.

"Dapat rin bigyan rin ng mas malaking parusa ang mga gun owner kung sila ay pabaya," Diokno told Super Radyo dzBB.

(Gun owners should have heavier penalties if they are found to be negligent in storing their firearms.)

Diokno made the statement following a deadly school shooting in Banga, South Cotabato on Friday, where three students were killed and eight others were wounded.

The lawmaker said firing ranges should also be meted stricter penalties if these are found to allow children to handle firearms and teach them to shoot.

"Dapat mas mahigpit ang parusa dun sa mga firing range na pumapayag humawak ang bata ng baril at tinturuan kung paano bumaril, and that is also a factor na pwede ma-inflict na may hawak ng baril," Dikono said.

(There should be stricter penalties for firing ranges that allow children to handle firearms and teach them how to shoot, as these can also be factors that may lead to situations where a child has access to and being armed with a gun.)

Banga Mayor Albert Palencia reported that the weapon used in the incident belonged to the student's father, who is an employee of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Diokno said even without a law, the executive department can audit the firearms owned by all public officials and employees and require them to be inspected.

"Puede gawin ng Executive Department, mag utos sila ng isang audit ng lahat ng mga public official na may baril at alamin din nila yung safety steps na sinasagawa ng opisyal that is within their authority," Diokno said.

(The Executive Department can order an audit of all public officials who own or carry firearms and also review the safety measures being practiced by these officials, as this is within their authority.)

For private individuals, Diokno suggested that once a firearm is registered, owners should be required to agree to inspections on storing their firearms.

"Owning a gun is a big responsibility and there must be very stiff penalties for those who are negligent in terms of gun safety," Diokno said.

The lawmaker called on to strengthen the country's Anti-Bullying Law, as shooting incidents in schools have been rampant.

"Mayroon pang mas malalim na mga isyu na dapat tugunan at tingnan ang pamahalaan. Mukhang may koneksyon itong mga pangyayari sa bullying," Diokno said.

(We have more concerning issues we need to address. It seems that this has a connection with bullying.)

DepEd earlier said it would seek the help of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to investigate the “true crime community” aspect following reports that the Banga National High School shooter was involved in it.

The student shooter was reportedly part of a “true crimes community" which may have led him to copy other shooting incidents, according to Banga Mayor Albert Palencia on Friday.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Saturday said the shooter was into the deep dark web which influenced him. —RF, GMA News