Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Thursday opened the 29th AFAD Defense and Sporting Arms Show by urging Filipinos to be responsible gun owners because they may be called upon one day to defend flag and country.

In keynoting the country’s biggest firearms show at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Dela Rosa emphasized that owning a gun is a mere privilege and not a right, the grant of which may be revoked by the state at any time.

He said that with the regional irritants between countries, Filipinos must be ready and prepared not only against criminals but also foreign aggressors.

The gun show hosted by the Association of Firearms Dealers of the Philippines will run until Monday, bringing under one roof the country’s top firearms sellers and advocates of responsible gun ownership.

“These are very dangerous times, thus we are taking advantage of the big discounts we see here to hopefully qualify to own a gun,” Mrs. Remedios Torculas, a school teacher, told DAILY TRIBUNE as she filled up an application for a license to own and possess firearms or LTOPF.

Getting an LTOPF is the first step to purchasing a gun, probably the hardest piece of identification to get as it requires passing drug and neuro-psychiatric tests and being vetted to have no criminal record.

A Type 1 LTOPF gives a holder a chance to buy two firearms while a Type 2 allows the licensee ownership of five guns.

Aric Topacio, president of AFAD, has said the gun is the “great equalizer” that allows even women to defend themselves against men with bad intentions.

Among the dealers showcasing their latest and greatest offering were Armscor, Tactical Corner, Top Spot, Trust Trade and PB Dionisio.

Dela Rosa revealed that the Senate is crafting a law that would help the country’s firearms industry grow.