Rules and Regulations Governing the Manufacture, Importation, Exportation, Sale, Possession, Carrying of Airsoft Rifles/Pistols
PNP Circular No. 008-06, issued on September 27, 2006, establishes regulations for the manufacture, importation, sale, possession, and use of airsoft rifles and pistols in the Philippines. It defines airsoft guns as special airguns that must be used solely for sporting activities, with specific restrictions on velocity and ammunition weight. All manufacturers and dealers must obtain the necessary licenses from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and ensure airsoft guns are distinctively marked. Furthermore, possession and transport of airsoft guns are strictly regulated, requiring permits and designated areas for use, with existing holders granted a six-month grace period for compliance.
September 27, 2006
PNP CIRCULAR NO. 008-06
RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE MANUFACTURE, IMPORTATION, EXPORTATION, SALE, POSSESSION, CARRYING OF AIRSOFT RIFLES/PISTOLS AND OPERATION OF AIRSOFT GUN CLUBS AND PLAYGROUNDS
I. REFERENCES:
a. Amended Rules and Regulations Governing the Manufacture, Sale, Possession and Carrying of Air Rifle/Pistol dated July 21, 2006 (TAB "A")
b. Implementing Rules and Regulations governing the Manufacture, Sale, Possession, and Carrying of Air Rifles/Pistols dated January 29, 1992 (TAB "B")
c. Executive Order Number 256 Entitled "Schedule of Fees" dated December 21, 1995 (TAB "C").
d. Standard Operating Procedure Number 13 Entitled "Licensing of Firearms" dated October 2001 (TAB "D")
e. Memorandum Circular Number 99-09 Entitled "Manufacture and Repair of Firearms" dated March 16, 1999 (TAB "E") and
f. Memorandum Circular Number 07 Entitled "Recognition/Operation of Gun Clubs" dated June 15, 2005 (TAB "F"). DaAISH
II. PURPOSE:
This circular prescribes the rules and regulations governing the manufacture, deal in, importation, exportation, sale, possession and carriage of airsoft rifles/pistols and operation of air soft gun clubs and playgrounds.
III. SCOPE:
This circular shall apply to all natural and juridical persons who intend to manufacture and deal in the importation, exportation and sale of AIRSOFT rifle/pistol which has been classified as a special type of airgun; and to those who desire to possess or carry the same. This circular also sets the provisions for the operation of airsoft gun club and playground.
IV. DEFINITION OF AIRSOFT RIFLE/PISTOL:
Airsoft rifle/pistol herein used includes battery operated, spring and gas type powered rifles/pistols which discharge plastic or rubber pellets only as bullets or ammunition.
Airsoft rifle/pistol as a toy shall refer to those manufactured purposely as replica of a real armament with all its specifications and corresponding intellectual property sign or logo.
V. RESTRICTION:
Airsoft rifle/pistol as herein classified as special type of air gun, shall be used in sporting activities such as war game or war simulation only. All airsoft rifles/pistols shall not exceed 550 feet per second velocity of their plastic or rubber pellets. Otherwise, it shall not be eligible for registration. Furthermore, the weight of the BB ammunition shall not exceed 0.2 grams
VI. MANUFACTURE AND SALE:
All natural and juridical persons intending to manufacture or sell airsoft rifle/pistol shall apply for license to manufacture or license to deal airsoft rifle/pistol under the existing rules and regulations of the Philippine National Police thru Firearms and Explosives Division of the Civil Security Group as provided for under the provision of Revised Memorandum Circular Number 99-009.
Corresponding permit for Authority to Display Airsoft Rifle/Pistol shall also be secured at FED-CSG.
VII. MARKINGS:
All airsoft rifle/pistol shall be stamped with a serial number prior to their one time registration by the Philippine National Police. To distinguish it from a real gun, the airsoft rifle shall be painted with ORANGE color, at least two (2) inches from the tip of the barrel or at its flash suppressor for an airsoft rifle or at least one (1) inch from the tip of the barrel for an airsoft pistol.
Importers of airsoft rifle/pistol are advised to coordinate with their foreign suppliers that every airsoft rifle/pistol exported to the Republic of the Philippines shall be assigned with a serial number as a requirement for registration.
VIII. POSSESSION:
Any person who desires to possess airsoft rifle/pistol shall file his application in accordance with PNP SOP Number 13 entitled "Licensing of Firearms". The one time registration rule for air rifle/pistol shall be applied to airsoft rifle/pistol. In case of transfer of ownership to a qualified Citizen, the required procedure in the transfer of regular air gun shall also be applied. A licensed airsoft rifle/pistol holder shall not transfer physical possession of his registered airsoft rifle/pistol until the application for license to possess airsoft rifle/pistol is approved by FED, CSG.
IX. TRANSPORT OF AIRSOFT RIFLE/PISTOL:
Lawful holders of airsoft rifle/pistol are only allowed to carry or use the item in an officially designated playground as classified by the local government unit in the area or locality and duly issued with a License to Operate Shooting Range or Playground by FED-CSG. While in transit, all airsoft rifles/pistols shall be placed in secured airsoft rifle/pistol cases. Corresponding Permit to Transport airsoft rifle/pistol from the place of residence to the designated playground or airsoft rifle/pistol firing range shall be applied at FED-CSG for all applicants within Metro Manila Area. Applicants in the provinces shall secure their corresponding Permit to Transport at their respective Provincial Police Office, City Police Office or at FESAGS Office as the case may be. In no case, shall the airsoft rifle/pistol shall be carried outside the designated playground or shooting range only with out its secured bag or case. It is a must that the airsoft rifle/pistol shall be used for sporting activities in designated and authorized places only.
X. IMPORTATION/EXPORTATION:
Any person or dealer intending to import/export airsoft rifle/pistol shall secure the corresponding import/export permit from the Philippine National Police thru FED-CSG prior to actual importation/exportation.
XI. AIRSOFT GUN CLUBS:
Pertinent provisions of PNP Circular No. 7 shall apply to the Gun Clubs membership for Airsoft Rifle/Pistol Holders.
XII. AIRSOFT FIRING RANGE/PLAYGROUND:
Operator of a designated and licensed playground or firing range for airsoft rifle/pistol shall secure a corresponding permit to conduct war games or war simulations, exhibitions and airsoft rifle/pistol shooting competitions. Operators of playgrounds and firing range in Metro Manila shall secure their permit at FED-CSG while operators applying for permit in the provinces shall file their applications with their respective Provincial Police Offices, City Police Offices in cases of highly urbanized cities or the FESAGS of the Police Regional Offices.
As the need arises or as the activity requires a new playground, the organizer of the war game or war simulation shall secure a new permit at FED-CSG, the Provincial Police Offices/City Police Offices or Regional Police Offices as the case may be.
The Mayor's permit will be a mandatory requirement in the registration of the firing range or playground for airsoft rifle/pistol exercises
XIII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS:
Existing manufacturers/dealers and present holders of airsoft rifle/pistol shall have a grace period of six (6) months from date hereof to apply for manufacturer or dealers license and to present their air rifle/pistol to the Firearms Management Branch, Firearms and Explosive Division — Civil Security Group for testing and corresponding registration with a fee as that of an air rifle/pistol. cTACIa
All licensed dealers of airsoft rifle/pistol shall be required to secure the necessary permits when intending to go on air soft rifle/pistol show or exhibition just like the conduct of Defense and Sporting Arms Show.
XIV. RESCISSION CLAUSE:
All rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby rescinded or modified accordingly.
XV. EFFECTIVITY:
These rules and regulations shall take effect immediately.
Adopted: 27 September 2006
(SGD.) OSCAR C. CALDERONPolice Director General