How did the San Jose National High School shooters--aged 14 and 15--get a hold of firearms in the first place?

That's the crucial question on the mind of former House quad-committee (quad-comm) overall chairman, Robert Ace Barbers when it comes to the deadly June 22 school shooting that shocked Tacloban City and the rest of the country.

“We must ask a difficult but necessary question: How are minors getting hold of firearms in the first place? Whether the weapon is licensed or not, adults who fail to secure firearms properly must be held accountable,” Barbers said.

The suspects, who ended up killing three fellow minors, reporteldy used a .9 pistol and a .38 revolver in the broad-daylight shooting spree.

The former three-term Surigao del Norte congressman said the incident highlighted the need for stronger safeguards and stricter responsibility among gun owners.

Barbers proposed legislation imposing criminal and civil liability on parents, guardians, or firearm owners whose negligence allows minors to access and use guns that result in injury, death, or threats to public safety.

“Gun ownership carries not only a right but a serious responsibility. If a minor gains access to a firearm because of negligence at home, there must be consequences. Responsible gun storage should be a legal obligation, not merely a recommendation,” he said.

“If the possession by a minor of a deadly weapon is a result of negligence, the owner, parent, or guardian must be meted out the penalty for the ensuing crime as if he/she committed it himself/herself,” Barbers reckoned.

He likewise urged law enforcement agencies, school authorities, and local government officials to strengthen firearm awareness campaigns, mental health interventions, and school security measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

“Let this tragedy serve as a wake-up call for all of us to ensure that deadly weapons never fall into the hands of children,” Barbers said.