Two of the most horrific gun crimes were committed recently just as the Philippine National Police was enforcing the firearms ban imposed by the Commission on Elections around this year’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

One involved the gunning down of a broadcaster as he was live-streaming inside his radio show. Those unfortunate enough to have stumbled on the footage on social media would find it hard to remove those images from their minds.

The attack was carried out by one of two men who barged into his home studio, purportedly after pretending to be there to make a public call on the broadcaster’s show. A third cohort, according to reports, was waiting on the getaway motorcycle.

The three bumbling fools even crashed their motorbike to escape. Amateurs! They’re only good at using treachery to kill unarmed people.

Equally barbaric was the point-blank shooting of a couple inside a provincial bus, an incident that also went viral on social media after it was caught on a closed-circuit TV camera.

The summary executions were clearly undertaken by hitmen, whose services could be had for as low as P20,000. As such, the PNP should unmask these assassins and ultimately catch the masterminds.

Yes, those two incidents were clearly hit jobs because, as seen from the footage, the attacks were not simple crimes of opportunity, but were apparently planned and paid for.

Every time gun bans are imposed during election periods, the armed criminals jump for joy because then they’d have easy pickings of people, including those who are licensed firearms owners, but no thanks to the Comelec, are deprived of the tools to defend themselves.

There’s scant evidence these gun bans have prevented election violence, thus it was particularly capricious of the Comelec to order an extended firearms ban the last time around.

And forget about applying for a gun ban exemption from the Comelec. Unless you hobnob with the powers in the poll body, applying for one would just be a waste of time. Ask that Metro Manila mayor whose application was turned down although he was not running for a position then.

Precisely, criminals do not care about the law or gun bans.  They just go about their merry way, robbing and killing people using unlicensed firearms. The only thing gun bans accomplish is to disarm law-abiding citizens who have taken great pains to get licensed, get tested for drugs, and have proven their mental fitness not to be trigger-happy fiends.

From 7 to 11 December, gun enthusiasts, hobbyists, and sports people will get a second helping of the 29th Defense and Sporting Arms Show organized by the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers, or AFAD, after their hit (pun intended) inaugural show last May in their new home, the sprawling SMEX Convention.

AFAD, led by Aric Topacio and Edwin Ano, will continue the country’s biggest and longest-running arms show that will feature local and imported firearms, optics, and gun-related accessories.

Responsible gun ownership is a lifestyle that calls for discipline, self-control, and a working knowledge of the law, especially in determining when one can use that tool not to harm people, but to protect oneself, loved ones, and others from criminals and other dregs of society.

Shooting back at criminals and terrorists like Hamas is a right, no, make that a duty — for every man with a pair who would not go out with a whimper.

“We’re happy to be back. With a huge turnout of visitors in the first edition last May, our members, particularly the major players in the industry, are so eager and enthusiastic to participate and put their products on display,” Topacio said.

Aric emphasized that AFAD had ceased to be just an organization of firearms dealers and importers, as it has metamorphosed into “a moving force for the continuing progress of the industry,” and, if I may add, the right to self-preservation.

Not to be missed, aside from the usual displays and the one-stop shops to qualify for a gun license, are the many discussions and talks given by experts on self-defense, safe firearms handling, and responsible gun ownership.

Road ragers, like those who have abused the privilege to carry firearms, need not come. Criminals, too, are advised to stick to the “paltik” or homemade gun they use to shoot people unwilling or unable to fight.