We’ve been doing these midnight runs to mark the start of the Election Period – and the Gun Ban – since the Chairmanship of Ben Abalos. It might seem like a public relations event, more than anything else, but it does fulfill a very important function – it highlights what a proper Gun Ban checkpoint looks like.
First of all, the checkpoint itself must be located in a brightly lit area. By default, checkpoints are not established in areas that are not well-illuminated or are obscured from the main street by trees, buildings, or other structures. This is to ensure that the activities of the checkpoint are always easily observed, even from a distance.
The checkpoint must also be marked by appropriate signboards that clearly identify the presence of a COMELEC-PNP checkpoint; and which provide the name and contact number of the COMELEC official and the PNP officer with jurisdiction over the area. This information is provided so that the motorist knows who to call in case he feels the need to lodge a complaint. Of course, if the call is to commend the checkpoint officials for a job well-done, that would be welcome too.
Apart from the signage (I’m really starting to hate that word, btw) and the location, motorists should also pay attention to the appearance of the officers manning the checkpoint. Taking into consideration variations in official uniforms – I know the PNP also uses a kind of less formal kit involving a skipper or t-shirts – this picture shows what motorists ought to expect.
Nameplates, badges. shoulder boards, ridiculously shiny shoes… the whole nine yards.So, the next time you’re on the road, keep an eye out for these guys. Stopping and cooperating can be your contribution – if nothing else – to the effort to make the 2016 elections safer.
Oh, and just because I know that there are people who disagree with the notion of a gun ban, lemme just address a few of the anti-points briefly.
First, yes, the gun ban will only be respected by law-abiding citizens, so it won’t make a whit of difference against those who think nothing of violating the law anyway.
Second, yes, if you’re one of those people who don’t care about the law if you are caught with firearms, you will still be prosecuted for violations of the firearms law which subsumes the election offense, so having a gun ban won’t matter much.
And third, yes, not all violators can or will be apprehended.
But, despite all of that, the gun ban will continue to be in effect. Why? Because the all-too-practical purpose of the gun ban is simply to make sure that people aren’t walking around with guns unless there’s a legitimate reason for doing so. Without the gun ban, all a person needs to be able to pack heat is a permit-to-carry or PTC. Now while PTCs are not exactly easy to get, the fact is that many people with PTCs have them simply because of who they are or who they know. And as far as I’ve been given to understand, the oversight mechanisms for granting PTCs are … well, how many people know what those mechanisms are anyway?
With the Gun Ban, the process of allowing people to bring their guns around with them is fairly centralized. Centralized means greater control, hence, better oversight. And where the oversight fails, there is much better accountability since all blame goes to the COMELEC anyway.
The reason it’s important to have fewer guns floating around goes back to the nature of elections. People get all sorts of hysterical during election season, and tempers flare up much more quickly. And when people get angry, it’s much better for everybody that they don’t have a firearm – or a knife – within easy reach.
So that’s why we have a Gun Ban. Like it or not.