General Order No. 22

January 17, 1973

GENERAL ORDER NO. 22

WHEREAS, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, Presidential Decree No. 9, dated October 2, 1972; General Order No. 6, dated September 22, 1972; General Order No. 7, dated September 23, 1972; and General Order No. 7-A, dated September 30, 1972, were promulgated as necessary measures to restore peace and order throughout the country;

WHEREAS, in order to attain fully the objective of said Proclamation, without at the same time discouraging the development of target shooting which is a wholesome sport, it is expedient that the number, type and caliber of licensed firearms in the hands of private individuals be limited, and the operation of gun clubs and the activities of their members regulated;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and pursuant to the above-mentioned Proclamation No. 1081, do hereby order that:

1. Henceforth, each individual may hold under license a maximum of only one (1) low-powered rifle caliber .22 or shotgun, not heavier than 12 gauge and one (1) pistol or revolver, not higher than caliber .38, except caliber .357 millimeter magnum, caliber .22 centerfire magnum and those which are or may later be classified by the Chief of Constabulary as high-powered regardless of type, make or caliber.

2. Officers and enlisted personnel in the active service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines may hold under license a maximum of only one (1) low-powered rifle caliber .22 or shotgun not heavier than 12 gauge and one (1) sidearm of any type or caliber.

3. All licensed firearms in the possession or control of any individual, including officers and enlisted personnel in the active service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in excess of the number, type and caliber of the firearms allowed under this Order must be deposited with the Firearms and Explosives Units, Headquarters Philippine Constabulary or the nearest Constabulary Provincial Headquarters.

4. Members of gun clubs registered with the Philippine Constabulary may be allowed to possess/carry outside residence their duly licensed firearms which are of the type and caliber authorized in this Order, and/or the firearms loaned to them by the Philippine Constabulary for target shooting purposes, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for the Possession and Carrying of Firearms by Members of Gun Clubs, hereto attached and made an integral part of this Order.

5. The keeping, possession and/or carrying of any firearm not authorized by this Order shall constitute a violation of the pertinent provisions of the aforementioned General Orders and shall be penalized pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 9, dated October 2, 1972.

6. The Chief of Constabulary shall prescribe the regulations which he may deem necessary for the effective implementation of this Order.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 17th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-three. CAIHTE