⌛ Guns or hunting bows in the Home ??

I just stumbled across a thread with a similar title that had been viewed over 10,000 times on this site (Will you keep a gun when living the Philippines?).

I have a question similar to that: Can a foreigner own a hunting bow as in the professional compound bows deer hunters use here in the USA? Or a cross-bow??

You could certainly take out an intruder with either of these and it would not wake up the neighbors either - at least not unless they hear the fellow screaming his last breath.

Would such a weapon need to be licensed and/or registered?

Comments welcome. Thanks.

 

I don't think you need a license to own a bow. Just don't start aiming people with it for no reason. LOL.

 

But if you do shoot someone there is an excellent taxidermist in town and he is very cheap.:D

 

AFAIK, the restriction is only ownership of firearms. For a practical home defense weapon the bulk of a bow or crossbow limits it's usefulness as well as trying to "load" the weapon. Even a full length shotgun can be cumbersome mostly because you have to be standing to fire it properly.
Pistols and short-barrel shotguns are the best choice. For the foreigner in the Philippines this option is, unfortunately, illegal.
The majority of your time, effort and expense should be focused on keeping intruders out in the first place.
Should you be fortunate enough to have a Filipina spouse you could always have her shoot the intruder.:p

 

Does he do burglars?:D

 

the bow is a weapon alright but not a recommend home defense weapon. i think if a foreigner joins a certified local gun club, he/she may be allowed under special circumstances to own a home defense pistol up to 9mm cal... i am not very sure though.

 

you don't need a license for that. just be carefull

 

I am going to offer an opinion here that got me in trouble on another forum not to long ago. Guns will probably cause you more problems than they will prevent in this country. I say that as an American who cherishes my second amendment rights (which only apply in America). In the States I have a concealed carry permit and go armed as a matter of course. I collect guns and shoot in IDPA defensive shooting competitions so I am definitely not anti gun.

Someone has suggested that joining a gun club might entitle a foreigner some sort of right to own a gun. Unless the laws have changed recently that just isn’t an option. Years ago I used to shoot at the NBI range in Cebu. I owned a business. I did consulting with the Army at Camp Lapu Lapu. I was close friends with several generals and was acquainted with Fidel Ramos who was Secretary of National Defense at the time. And with all that I couldn’t get a LEGAL permit to carry a gun. I was approached by plenty of sleazy guys offering me mission orders as undercover narcotics investigator or what ever that for a price would let me carry.

If you have a gun on your person or in your house you must be willing to use it and accept the consequences of your actions. In America one of the top gun authorities, Maas Ayoob, states that when you use a gun to defend yourself your problems are just starting. You will likely be arrested and have to legally defend yourself at great cost. Even if not found criminally responsible you can be dragged into civil court for a wrongful death or injury suit. It will almost certainly cost you dearly and might cost you your liberty. That is in America where the right to defend yourself with deadly force is clearly established. What chance do you think a foreigner stands trying to defend himself in a Philippine Court. You might hope to buy your way out of trouble but it’s a better chance that you will become the investigating officers pension plan.

As far as a hunting bow goes I guess it’s legal to own but I sure would like to listen in on the explanation of how a corpse got all full of arrows. If you used it you would still have to defend it and it is still basically a weapon.

Be friendly with your neighbors. Get a dog. Keep a stick or baseball bat handy. Live where you feel secure. If you don’t feel secure move somewhere else. It’s the old story. If you don’t feel safe walking down a street without a gun don’t walk down that street.

Again these are just my opinions based on living in this country for a long time. Big smile, Big dog, Big stick. And a little Luck

Kenny

 

Crossbows, bows or catapults won't need a license. Even air guns don't require one, but these days I wish the authorities would implement the anti-hunting law, as I still see hunters with air rifles shooting wild pigeons in Siaton and Bayawan. If you want a handgun, buy a licensed one, and stay away from the loose firearms (unlicensed ones) and the paltiks (knock-offs from Danao, Cebu). There's a chance you can apply for a gun permit (I think there is a written psychiatric exam for this), which costs between P3,000-P4,000. Applying for a license to carry your firearm is harder, and will require a very good reason, such a threat to your person. But with elections a-coming, who knows, it may be easier.

 

Excellent advice Kenny.