THE growth and development of the firearms manufacturing industry will all depend on the number of educated and responsible gun owners. Thus, said Senator Ronaldo ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa as he joined the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers, Inc. (AFAD) in the fight against loose firearms, gun safety, and responsible gun ownership.
“We must continue educate our netizens about gun ownership. Ating ipropagate ng husto ang responsible gun ownership. Kung lahat tayo magiging responsable, mas marami ang magiging miyembro ng ating society na gun owners not just simple hobbyists and sportsmen. Pag ganito, hindi magiging mahigpit ang gobyerno sa mga manufacturer at importer mas maganda para sa industriya,” said Dela Rosa in a short message during the opening of the 29th AFAD Defense and Sporting Arms Show on Thursday at the SMX Convention in Pasay City.
Dela Rosa acknowledges the contribution of the firearms industry not just for creating jobs for Filipinos but also for the growth of the economy in general.
“Ilang mangagawa ang nakikinabang sa industirya na ito? Mula sa paggawa ng piyesa, accessories and paraphernalia. Yung mga importer natin hindi biro ang naibabayad nilang tax. If the industry is getting better the economy follows,” said Dela Rosa, whose family is noted sports shooting campaigner.
“My own daughter and my son-in-law are both champion shooters. Kaya kayong masasamang loob na nagbabalak, ayusin ninyo at may paglalagyan kayo,” added the former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief in jest.
“On a serious note, we need to help each other, we have to unite and put our best foot forward to help the industry grow, stabilized, and be helpful to nation-building,” he added.
AFAD president Alaric Topacio express his warmest gratitude to Dela Rosa, other lawmakers, and different law enforcement agencies for continued supporting the industry and helping the local manufacturer and importer.
“Foremost in AFAD mission is to educate every Filipino not just the hobbyist, sportsmen, and private gun owners on how to be a responsible gun owner. From a mere firearms dealer group, AFAD transform into an association lobbying bills to create laws that are beneficial to all stakeholders,” stressed Topacio.
Topacio added that aside from the usual activities on renewal of licenses and application for new registered gun owners, AFAD offers seminars regarding gun safety, self-defense, security, and responsible gun ownership.
The five-day event which runs until Monday (May 29) offers huge product discounts from exhibitors such as Stronghand Incorporated, Final Option Trading Corporation, Force Site Inc, Lynx Firearms and Ammunition; Tactical Precision Trading, Armscor Shooting Center, Defensive Armament Resource Corp., Topspot Guns and Ammo, Lordman Leathercraft Guns and Ammo, True Weight, Tactics SOG Industries Inc., Trust Trade, and PB Dionisio and Co., Inc.
