MIRIAM WANTS SAFER NEW YEAR'S EVE, CALLS FOR WEAPON SAFETY AND PYROTECHNIC INDUSTRY REGULATION

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago reminded gun-owning New Year's Eve revelers to refrain from firing their weapons and suggested stricter laws that punish those who fail to store firearms safely.

Santiago's Senate Bill No. 1744, or the Weapon Accident Prevention Act, pushes for the responsible storage of weapons to prevent gun- and fire-arm related accidents and death.

"Placing weapons within reach or easy access of other people, especially of children, is likewise irresponsible because it increases the incidence of injury not only to the one who got hold of the weapon, but also to the other people around him," Santiago said.

Santiago also said that allowing other people access to weapons likewise facilitates the use of such weapons in the commission of other crimes.

The bill requires gun owners to store their weapons in appropriate locked boxes or use gun locking devices. It also penalizes persons who store or leave loaded firearms that are accessible to other people and may lead to accidents.

Those who violate the provisions of the proposed law may face up to six months in prison and fined up to Php 50,000. The higher penalty may be imposed if the negligently stored weapon was used by another person, and if that use resulted to injury or death.

Santiago also sought the regulation of the regulation of the country's pyrotechnic industry and aimed to draw up the guidelines in the manufacture, sale, possession, use, and disposal of fireworks and firecrackers.

"The alarming number of injuries and damage to property related to firecrackers and fireworks every year necessitates the regulation of the pyrotechnic industry," Santiago said.

According to Santiago's Senate Resolution No. 266, filed last year, regulation may take the form of:

• prescribing the chemical components of fireworks and firecrackers;
• designating places where they can be sold or used,
• proscribing their sale to persons below 18 years old, and
• prohibiting their use by minors.