Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero lauded the resiliency of the local firearms manufacturers and dealers and vowed to give a full backing for the sustainable growth of the gun industry.

Escudero, a gun enthusiast and advocate of responsible ownership, said the Senate is pushing for amendments in manufacturing, importation, licensing, and possession of firearms to make the industry more productive and entice the public to acquire firearms for sporting purposes and protection.

“Sa ngayon ay napakahigpit ng Philippine National Police (PNP) sa pagbibigay ng lisensya sa ating mga kababayan. Hindi po dapat ganito, nagiging dahilan lang ito para hindi na sila magpalisenya pa. Kung gagamitin po sa kasamaan ang baril, hindi na po iyang ipapalisensiya, bibili na lang yan sa black market tapos itatapon pag nagamit,” said Escudero in a message he delivered during the opening ceremony of the 30th Defense and Sporting Arms Show hosted by the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers, Inc. (AFAD).

“Sa pagbibigay ng tamang lisensiya, hindi po ba’t mas mababantayan natin kung sino talaga ang mga nagma-may-ari ng baril, sino ang meron lisensiya sino ang wala. Mas epekto ang ating datos. Kaya’t marapat lamang na gawin nating madali ang proseso para sa mga kababayan nating responsable sa pag-aari ng mga baril,. Kaya huwag nating pahirapan ang ating mga kababayan” said Escudero.

Escudero said the Senate had already passed a law – Self Reliance Defense  Act – and already presented it to President Marcos for signing. The said law will give way to building the country's own firearms and armament manufacturing plant.

“Biibigyan natin ng insentibo ang ating mga local firearms manufacturer, at puwedeng mag-may-ari ang mga foreign investors up to 40 percent,” he added.

Newly elected AFAD president Edwin Lim said AFAD withstood the test of time and for the past three decades thrived as a reliable income-generating industry in the country with its thrust for safety and responsible gun ownership.