It is the period that Philippine gun owners and even airsoft players should be aware of, the Election Gun Ban. With the upcoming Philippine National Elections in May 2016, the Commission On Elections (COMELEC),  has the power to impose gun bans to prevent bloodshed during elections, which Philippine elections are known for.

The COMELEC issued Comelec Resolution No. 10015 that prohibits the carrying or transportation of firearms or other deadly weapons in public areas, 120 days before the May 2016 polls and 30 days after the election day or until June 8, 2016. Only those authorised by the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP) can be exempt from this gun ban and should be applied for.

Are airsoft players exempted from this gun ban given that airsoft and air guns are now excluded as firearms in Republic Act No. 10591 (RA 10591)? This is still a gray area as far many are concerned and COMELEC has not been explicit in the resolution if airsoft is covered. The advice to airsoft players is to consult COMELEC  and the Philippine National Police (PNP) at the national and local levels if they are affected.

But the best action really is for airsoft players to abide with the gun ban as airsoft guns can be mistaken for real firearms.

What airsoft site owners in the Philippines do in order for airsoft players to play during the Gun Ban period is to allow their  customers to store their airsoft guns at the site. Thus, airsoft players do not need to transport airsoft guns to their game site(s) as they already have pre-positioned airsoft guns and gear.

It’s best to know this if you are in the Philippines during the period and you want to play airsoft, or fire real steel guns for that matter. The penalties in violating the gun ban are not light.