ANGARA URGES PUBLIC TO REFRAIN FROM INDISCRIMINATE
GUN FIRING ON NEW YEAR'S

Senator Edgardo J. Angara reiterates his warning to the public, including military and police authorities, to refrain from celebrating the New Year with gun firing.

"Stray bullets do not choose who their victim would be. Indiscriminate gun firing places everyone's lives due to the irresponsibility of some gun-wielding people during the New Year revelry," said Angara.

He added, "Promoting responsible gun ownership is the key policy issue here. Gun ownership is not power, which only police and military authorities are entitled to have, and not to be abused. The power to wield a gun comes with the corollary responsibility to promote public safety. And New Year is not the time to tolerate irresponsibility, I urge proper authorities to pay extra attention on this and let violators face consequences to the fullest extent of the law."

Yearly the Philippine National Police (PNP) initiates the annual sealing of firearms of their men. This is intended to ensure they do not fire their weapons indiscriminately to welcome the New Year.

"Let us all be responsible citizens, and welcome 2010 safely and merrily," added Angara.