MANILA – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday lauded the passage of Senate Bill 2501 or the “Act Penalizing Willful and Indiscriminate Discharge of Firearms”.
The bill seeks tougher penalties against any person for willful and indiscriminate discharge of firearms.
In a statement, CHR Executive Director Jacqueline Ann de Guia said any firearm-related violence threatens our most fundamental human right — the right to life.
“As gun violence continues to rise, the matter of gun ownership and control is a national concern that needs to be addressed,” she said.
De Guia added that the government must fight actual or foreseeable threats to life and should take measures to protect people from gun violence, even from its agents and officials.
“Firearms are not mere playthings and should only be used as a last resort,” she said. “Numerous instances in the past have shown how falling bullets fired during celebratory gunfire have injured and even killed innocent individuals."
The CHR sees the bill, paired with continuing firearm safety education, as a protection of the fundamental rights of the Filipino people as it could deter the number of incidents involving its reckless and indiscriminate use. (PNA)
