Comelec approves more than 2,000 applications for gun ban exemption

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns has approved more than 2,000 applications for gun ban exemption.

Data released by the Office of Commissioner Socorro Inting showed a total of 4,381 applications 354 of which refiled.

Of the total, 1,904 have been approved and 855 were denied. As for those refiled, 256 were approved while 51 were denied.

As of April 13, the number of pending applications is still at 1,315.

Also included in the data are applications for accreditation for transportation of firearms and other controlled chemicals.

Inting resigned as head of the CBFSC on April 12.

In a memorandum, she said, the bestowal on the Chairman of the Commission of the power to grant gun ban exemptions and place Election Areas of Concern under Comelec Control based on the vague and arbitrary phrase of "meritorious and urgent cases" essentially rendered futile or pointless the existence and functions of the CBFSC.