The Philippines is famous for its observance of the Holy Week, especially on Good Friday, where penitents allow themselves to be nailed on the cross, and has become a major tourist attraction. No wonder last week's Good Friday, it was reported in the news two brothers in the country have announced that they want to drive a nail to the airsoft hobby, sort of.

Two legislators from the south of the Philippines, Rufus Rodriguez who was linked last year to one of the biggest corruption scandals in the country, and his brother Abante Mindanao (Forward Mindanao) Party List Representative, Maximo, have filed a bill in the Lower House of the Philippine Congress, House Bill 3805 or the "Airsoft Imitation Firearm Law" aimed to regulate airsoft in the country.

(Photo Source: The Mindanao Current)

Recently, airsoft has been legalised in the Philippines with the Republic Act 10591 but still subject to confiscation and users to arrest if airsoft guns are used in criminal acts.

According to Philippine news website, InterAksyon, the highlights of the proposed Act are the following:

1. FPS limits of airsoft guns will be at 550fps on 0.20g BBs.
2. Persons or companies intending to import, manufacture or sell airsoft guns should apply for permits at the Department Trade and Industry and should be registered with the Philippine National Police (PNP).
3. Distinctive colouring of 6.35 centimeters in length on barrels of airsoft guns with either blaze orange of red pulp.
4. Airsoft guns with no serial numbers will have to be registered with the PNP. This will be a one-time registration where a barcode sticker showing a unique serial number shall be place on a visible part of the airsoft gun. This barcode sticker shall be valid during the lifetime of the airsoft gun.
5. Airsoft guns with their own unique serial numbers shall be registered with such serial numbers with the PNP instead of putting a barcode sticker.

House Bill 3806 sounds like the Implementing Rules of Regulations of 2007 from the PNP but has been superseded by the RA 10591. However, this is still an added bureaucracy and costs for both PNP and airsoft users with resources needed by the PNP should be devoted to actual crime fighting rather than civilians playing weekend warriors.

There is no counterpart bill in the Philippine Senate yet, as this is a requirement in order for the proposed law to be effective. Depending on the priorities of the Philippine Congress, this may not move fast as there are more pressing concerns for the legislators and with the 16th Philippine Congress ending in around two months' time, the bill may not be approved on time and will have to be filed again when the 17th Philippine Congress convenes in the last week of July 2014.

Still, the Philippine airsoft community should monitor this bill in the lower house and also watch for a countepart bill filed in the Senate. Sometimes certain bills will be fast-tracked so being on guard and ready to voice their opposition to this bill is very important.