INTRODUCTION TO FIREARM SAFETY

AND MARKSMANSHIP COURSE

• Philippine Laws on
Firearm Ownership and
Possession
• Basic Pistolcraft
• Fundamentals of Firearm
Safety
• Elements of Handgun
Marksmanship
• Proficiency Firing
PHILIPPINE LAWS ON FIREARM
OWNERSHIP AND POSSESSION
 DEFINITION OF TERMS

FIREARMS as defined include rifles, muskets,

carbines, shotguns, revolvers, pistols and all other
deadly weapons from which bullet, ball, shot, shell or
other missiles may be discharged by means of
gunpowder or other explosives.

The term also includes air rifles and pistols not

classified as toys under the provisions of Executive
Order No. 712.

The BARREL of any firearm shall be considered a

complete firearm.
 DEFINITION OF TERMS

AMMUNITION refers to loaded shells for firearms from

which a bullet, ball, shot, shell or other missiles may be
fired by means of gunpowder or explosives.

LICENSE TO POSSESS FIREARMS AND

AMMUNITION is a written document issued by the
Firearms and Explosives Division of the Philippine
National Police, authorizing a person to possess in his
residence a firearm which is subject of said license,
and an authorized quantity of ammunition.
 DEFINITION OF TERMS

RESIDENCE refers to that place where the firearm

and ammunition are being permanently kept. It
includes the office or house designated as firearm
residence, and the premises of the said office or house
enclosed by walls and gates separating the same from
adjacent properties

A motor vehicle is NOT an extension of the firearm

residence.
 PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1866
as amended by Republic Act 8294

Section 1 It is unlawful to manufacture, sell, acquire,

dispose or possess firearms, ammunition
or instruments used or intended to be used
in the manufacture of firearms and/or
ammunition.

Section 3 It is unlawful to tamper the serial numbers

of a firearm. The penalty of four years
imprisonment shall be imposed upon any
person who shall unlawfully tamper,
change, deface or erase the serial number
of any firearm.
 PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1866
as amended by Republic Act 8294

Section 5 The term UNLICENSED FIREARM

includes:
a. Firearms with expired licenses;
b. Use of licensed firearms in the
commission of a crime.
 EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 164

Section 2: Every bonafide gun club member . . .

may apply for the issuance of licenses to
possess shooting units up to, but not to
exceed, .45 caliber for side arms and
5.56 and 7.62 for semi-auto competition
rifles; Provided that no . . . gun club
member shall possess at any one time
more than 15 units sidearms and 6 units
rifles, and 5,000 rounds of ammunition . .
. and provided further that fully automatic
models shall not be so licensed.
 EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 256

Section 7: No firearm application shall be approved

by the PNP-FED without a Certificate of
Attendance by the applicant in a seminar
covering Gun Safety, Responsibility,
Laws, Regulation and other pertinent
topics.
 EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 850

Section 2: All citizens of the Philippines who were

issued licenses to posses firearms will be
permanently disqualified from possessing
firearms of any type and/or caliber after
losing a registered firearm for the third
time.
 LEGAL SOURCES OF FIREARMS

1. Licensed firearms dealer through purchase.

2. Licensed firearms holder through sale or transfer.\1
3. Importation or purchase abroad of firearm and
ammunition by individuals.\2

\1 firearms may only be physically delivered by the seller to the

buyer only after the latter has secured the corresponding
firearm license and permit to transport firearm
\2 suspended by Presidential Order issued September 19, 1991
 LICENSES TO POSSESS FIREARMS

1. LONG REGULAR LICENSE (LRL)

Issued to private firms, establishments or
corporations for use by their officers or employees
excluding security guards.

2. SHORT REGULAR LICENSE (SRL)

Issued to private employees for firearms provided
by their respective companies that are covered by
a long regular license.
 LICENSES TO POSSESS FIREARMS

1. LONG CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION (LCR)

Issued to government agencies or offices,
government owned or controlled corporations for
use of their officers or employees excluding
security guards.

2. SHORT CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION (SCR)

Issued to government officials or employees for
firearms provided by their respective agencies or
offices that are covered by a long certificate of
registration.
 LICENSES TO POSSESS FIREARMS

1. REGULAR LICENSE (RL)

Issued to civilians or private individuals for their
privately-owned firearms, and to corporations and
security agencies for company-owned firearms for
use by their security guards.

2. SPECIAL PERMITS (SP)

Issued to government officials or employees for
their privately-owned firearms.
 REVOCATION OF FIREARM LICENSE

1. A firearm license shall be revoked under any of the

following circumstances:
a. Loss of firearm through negligence;
b. Carrying of firearm outside the residence
without the appropriate permit;
c. Carrying of firearm in prohibited places;
d. Conviction by a competent court involving
moral turpitude for any offense where the
penalty carries an imprisonment of more
than six (6) months and a fine of at least
Php 1,000.00;
 REVOCATION OF FIREARM LICENSE

1. A firearm license shall be revoked under any of the

following circumstances:
e. Unauthorized loan of firearm to another
person;
f. Dismissal for cause from the service in the
case of government officials and/or
employees;
g. Commission of a crime where the firearm is
involved.
 REVOCATION OF FIREARM LICENSE

2. Upon revocation of the firearm license, the firearm

and ammunition covered by such license shall be
surrendered to the PNP-FED in case of Metro
Manila residents. In the provinces, it shall be
surrendered to the PNP Regional or Provincial
Director concerned who shall forward the same to
the PNP-FED for proper disposition.
 REVOCATION OF FIREARM LICENSE

3. Upon the death or legal disability of the firearm

holder, it shall be the duty of the nearest relative,
legal representative or any person who shall
knowingly come into possession of such firearm
and ammunition to deliver the same to the PNP-
FED or the PNP Regional or Provincial Director
after securing the necessary transport permits.
Such firearm and ammunition shall be retained
pending the issuance of a license in accordance
with the law.
 REVOCATION OF FIREARM LICENSE

4. It shall be the responsibility of the Department Head

and/or employer to report to the PNP-FED any
case of loss of a firearm covered by a Special
Permit, Long Certificate of Registration, Short
Certificate of Registration, Long Regular License
and/or Short Regular License.
 CARRYING AND TRANSPORT OF
FIREARMS

TRANSPORT PERMITS - a one-time pass issued to

individuals for the purpose of transporting UNLOADED
firearms and ammunition from one location to another
and back if necessary.

PERMITS TO TRANSPORT FIREARMS FOR GUN

CLUB MEMBERS (PTTs) - a written authority issued
to PNP-FED accredited gun club members for the
purpose of transporting UNLOADED firearms and
ammunition from residence to accredited firing ranges
and back.
 CARRYING AND TRANSPORT OF
FIREARMS

HUNTING PERMITS - a written authority issued to

individuals for purposes of transporting UNLOADED
firearms and ammunition to hunt in legal hunting
grounds.

PERMITS TO CARRY FIREARMS OUTSIDE OF

RESIDENCES (PTCs/PTCFORs) - a written authority
issued to individuals who are under actual threat or
whose lives are in imminent danger due to the nature
of their position, occupation or calling to carry
LOADED firearms and ammunition outside of
residences.
 CARRYING AND TRANSPORT OF
FIREARMS

DUTY DETAIL ORDER - a written order issued by a

superior officer to his subordinates, assigning them the
performance of a specific task within or outside his
official station that is part of their regular duties.

MISSION ORDER - a written directive issued by a

competent authority to individuals who are under his
supervision and control for a definite purpose or
objective during a specified period, and to such place
or places therein mentioned.
 CARRYING AND TRANSPORT OF
FIREARMS

No Mission Order shall be issued to any civilian agent

authorizing the carry firearms outside of residence by
the same unless the individual is:
a. Included in the regular plantilla of the
government agency involved in law
enforcement;
b. Receiving regular compensation for the
services he is rendering in the agency; and
c. Involved in a special law enforcement, police
or intelligence project which specifically
requires the use of firearms to ensure its
accomplishment.
 MANNER OF CARRYING FIREARMS

1. The sidearm carried by a person in uniform shall be

placed in a holster securely attached to the belt.
2. Persons in uniform but without holsters and those
in civilian clothes who are authorized to carry their
firearms outside residences shall ensure that their
firearms are concealed unless in actual use for
legitimate purpose.
3. The practice of flagrantly displaying a firearm or
tucking it at the waist while in uniform or civilian
clothes is prohibited.
4. Only firearms specifically described in the permit
shall be carried.
 LIMITATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS TO
CARRY OF FIREARMS

1. Those authorized to carry firearms shall not bring

said firearms inside public drinking places,
cabarets, public dance halls and public amusement
places; or while attending civic, political or religious
rallies and meetings.
2. Carrying of long firearms is prohibited in Metro
Manila, chartered cities, provincial capitals and
other thickly populated areas; or fiestas; or other
large gatherings except when called for in the
performance of duty or accomplishment of mission.
 VALID USE OF FIREARMS IN
SELF DEFENSE
Article 11 of the Revised Penal Code states that any
person acting in defense of his person or rights do
not incur any criminal liability under the following
justifying circumstances:
1. Unlawful aggression;
2. Reasonable necessity of the means
employed to prevent or repel the unlawful
aggression; and
3. Lack of sufficient provocation on the part of
the person defending himself.

ALL THREE CIRCUMSTANCES MUST EXIST

BASIC PISTOLCRAFT

The Anatomy of a Modern Bullet

Parts of a Semi-Automatic Pistol
Pistol Mechanics
Anatomy of a Bullet

1. Primer
2. Powder or Propellant
3. Shell or Casing
4. Slug or Bullet Head
Parts of a Pistol

front sight frame or rear sight

slide receiver
barrel

grip tang
trigger guard

grip
trigger

magazine
Pistol Mechanics
FIREARM SAFETY AND
RESPONSIBLE GUN
OWNERSHIP
FOUR RULES OF GUN SAFETY

1. Consider all firearms as loaded.

2. Never let the muzzle of the firearm
point at anything you do not intend to
destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger unless
you are ready to fire.
4. Be sure of your target and what lies
beyond and around it before you
shoot.
 FIREARM SAFETY CHECK

1. Make sure that the muzzle of the

firearm is always pointed in a safe
direction;
2. Keep your finger off the trigger and
outside the trigger guard, and engage
any external safety;
3. Remove the magazine from the
firearm and place in a safe location
(inside your pocket or range bag or
on top of your work table);
 FIREARM SAFETY CHECK

4. Pull back the pistol slide and hold

open, while visually inspecting the
chamber through the ejection port to
ensure that there is no bullet in the
chamber;
5. Release the slide and rack it back
and forth twice to ensure that the
firearm is unloaded;
6. Pull back the pistol slide completely
and engage the slide stop; or point
the firearm in a safe direction and pull
the trigger.
 FIREARM SAFETY TIPS

1. It is better to gun proof your children

than to child proof a gun.
2. If a child finds a gun, they should be
taught to:
STOP and DO NOT TOUCH
THE GUN
Leave the area immediately
Tell a responsible adult what he
found
 FIREARM SAFETY TIPS

3. Be sure that your firearm is combat

ready and safe to operate;
4. Seek professional training and train
with your own firearm;
5. Use only the correct ammunition. Be
careful of “hot” loads;
6. Wear eye and and ear protection as
appropriate;
7. Never take a gun away from
someone by pulling on the barrel;
 FIREARM SAFETY TIPS

8. Never use drugs or alcohol before or

during a day of shooting;
9. Never shoot into water and avoid
ricochets. Do not shoot at heavy
objects such as junked cars, gas
tanks and abandoned refrigerators;
10. While hunting, be completely aware
of the whereabouts of your buddies,
and never shoot at sound or
movement while hunting.
 FIREARM SAFETY TIPS

11. Be aware that certain firearms and

activities have additional rules and
precautions.
12. Never climb a tree or fence or jump a
ditch with a loaded gun;
13. Always obey firing range rules and
your Range Safety Officer;
14. Never rely solely on the safety
devices of your firearm. It is only a
piece of equipment that can
malfunction;
 FIREARM SAFETY TIPS

15.Never allow horseplay with your

firearm;
16.Carry firearms in appropriate gun
cases;
17.Be sure that your barrel is clear of
obstructions before firing.
 FIREARM CARRY AND
TRANSPORT
1. When transporting or carrying firearms:
a. Never carry your handgun in your
pocket, purse or waistband. Use a
proper gun case or holster;
b. Always transport your firearm in a
safe, unloaded condition;
c. When carrying a loaded firearm,
make sure that the safety is
engaged. A better option is to carry
the handgun with a loaded
magazine but with an empty
chamber.
 FIREARM CARRY AND
TRANSPORT
2. Carry loaded revolvers with an empty
chamber under the hammer.
3. Always bring the original copy of the
firearm license and transport permits
or permits to carry firearms when
taking firearms outside of residences.
All are required to show these
documents when requested by any
law enforcement officer.
 ELEMENTS OF
HANDGUN
MARKSMANSHIP
 MARKSMANSHIP

The skillful art of shooting and

hitting a target at a given range or
known distance.
1. Master Eye
2. Two-Handed Grip
3. Shooting Stance
4. Sight Picture and Alignment
5. Breath Control
6. Trigger Control
7. Follow Through
 MASTER EYE

Identify the master or dominant

eye which shall be used for
purposes of aiming or acquiring
the sight picture and sight
alignment.
 TWO-HANDED GRIP

The handgun must be held by the

strong hand against the base of
the palm by middle, ring and small
fingers in a manner that will place
the web of the hand in the highest
possible position.

The thumb should lock down and

press against the opposite side of
the pistol grip, with the trigger
finger relaxed outside the trigger
guard.
 TWO-HANDED GRIP

The base of the weak hand palm

should achieve contact with the
uncovered area of the pistol grip,
with the fingertips of the weak
hand wrapping around the pistol
grip and touching the knuckles of
the strong hand.

The weak hand thumb should be

tucked in with the strong hand
thumb.
 SHOOTING STANCE

1. Feet should be held parallel

and slightly apart
2. Knees should be flexed or
slightly bent.
3. Head should be held steady
with eyes fixed on the target.
4. Shoulders should be held
square to the body and
parallel to the feet.
 SHOOTING STANCE

5. Handgun should be held out

at eye level in a two-handed
grip, with elbows slightly
bent.
6. Upper body should lean
slightly forward.
7. Hips should be held loose
and comfortable.
 SHOOTING STANCE

Viewed from the top, the pistol

forms the apex of a triangle
formed by both arms as the
two sides and the shoulders
as the base.

Hence the term, ‘The Isosceles

Stance’.
 SIGHT PICTURE

Make sure that the post of the

front sight is at the same height as
that of the rear sight, and that
there is an equal amount of space
in between either side of the front
sight and the insides of the rear
sight
 SIGHT ALIGNMENT

With the master eye fixed on the

target, raise the handgun and
align the sight picture in the line of
sight established between the
master eye and the target.
 BREATH CONTROL

Establish a breathing pattern

preparatory to taking a shot, i.e.,
inhale, breath hold, aim, fire then
exhale.
Take your shot while on a breath
hold to minimize any involuntary
body movement.
Do not hold your breath for more
than six seconds. Repeat your
breathing cycle and fire on the
subsequent breath hold.
 TRIGGER CONTROL

Rest the pad of your trigger finger

lightly on the trigger.
Gently squeeze the trigger directly
backwards until a clean, surprise
break is achieved.
 TRIGGER CONTROL

Errors in trigger control:

flinching – muscular tension
or reaction in anticipation of
the recoil.
jerking – an attempt to fire
the pistol at a certain
instant by rapidly apply
pressure on the trigger.
 FOLLOW THROUGH

Do not lower your guard after

firing your shot.
Continue aiming at the target
while maintaining your sight
picture and sight alignment until
commanded otherwise by the
Range Safety Officer
 SAFETY AND
ETIQUETTE AT THE
FIRING RANGE
 FIRING RANGE SAFETY
AND ETIQUETTE

The Range Officer or Safety Officer is

the only person with authority inside
the firing range or shooting facility.

Any willful or inadvertent violation or

even deviation from safety rules can
result in your removal from the range
premises.
 FIRING RANGE SAFETY
AND ETIQUETTE

Make sure that all firearms are cased

and unloaded when entering a firing
range or shooting facility.

The uncasing and casing of firearms

are only allowed at the designated
range “Safety Area”.

The handling of holstered firearms are

only allowed at the Safety Area or at
the Firing Line under the command of
the Range Officer or Safety Officer.
 FIRING RANGE SAFETY
AND ETIQUETTE

The handling of ammunition in Safety

Areas are strictly prohibited.

If allowed to holster, firearm must be

unloaded, hammer must be down and
no magazine inserted.

Always point the muzzle of the firearm

downrange. Do not point the firearm
beyond 180o from either side of your
body, or less than one meter away
from your foot.
 FIRING RANGE SAFETY
AND ETIQUETTE

In a firing line without barriers, the

person to your right is always given
priority unless otherwise instructed by
the Range Officer or Safety Officer.

Load ammunition to the firearms only

upon the instruction of the Range
Officer or Safety Officer.

Always announce that your are “firing”

before you start shooting to allow
people to prepare before you fire.
 RANGE COMMANDS

“LOAD MAGAZINE”
Allows the shooter to pick up the
handgun, point it at a safe direction
downrange, and insert a loaded
magazine into the magazine well while
keeping the finger off the trigger and
outside the trigger guard.
 RANGE COMMANDS

“MAKE READY”

Allows the shooter to chamber a round

by pulling back the slide and
subsequently releasing it, all the while
pointing the handgun at a safe
direction downrange and keeping the
finger off the trigger and outside the
trigger guard.
 RANGE COMMANDS

“LOAD AND MAKE READY”

Allows the shooter to pick up the

handgun, point it at a safe direction
downrange, insert a loaded magazine
into the magazine well and
chambering a round by pulling back
the slide and subsequently releasing
it, all the while keeping the finger off
the trigger and outside the trigger
guard.
 RANGE COMMANDS

“UNLOAD AND SHOW CLEAR”

Requires the shooter to point the

handgun at a safe direction
downrange, remove the magazine and
making sure there is no round in the
chamber by racking the slide back and
forth twice, locking it into position and
showing the empty chamber to the
Range Officer or Safety Officer.
 RANGE COMMANDS

“FIRE WHEN READY”

Allows the shooter to commence the

firing sequence as instructed by the
Range Officer or Safety Officer.
 RANGE COMMANDS

“HAMMER DOWN AND SECURE”

Requires the shooter to release the

slide from its locked position and while
pointing the handgun in a safe
direction downrange, pull the trigger to
rest the hammer or firing pin.

The shooter may then put down the

handgun in the designated area,
making sure that the muzzle is
pointing downrange.
 RANGE COMMANDS

“CEASE FIRE!”

Requires all shooters in the firing line

to terminate their firing sequence and
lower their guard to the low ready
position, making sure that their fingers
are off the trigger and outside the
trigger guard.
 RANGE COMMANDS

“FREEZE!”

Requires the shooter to literally stand

perfectly still and stop any movement
however minute.
SEE YOU AT THE FIRING RANGE!

SEE YOU AT THE RANGE!