By authority of the United States, be it enacted by the Philippine Commission, that:

SECTION 1. Section twenty-four of Act Numbered One hundred and seventy-five, entitled "An Act providing for the organization and government of an Insular Constabulary and for the inspection of the municipal police," as amended by Act Numbered Six hundred and ten, entitled "An Act to amend Act Numbered One hundred and seventy-five, entitled 'An Act providing for the organization and government of an Insular Constabulary and for the inspection of the municipal police,' as amended," is hereby amended by substituting in lieu thereof the following:

"SEC. 24. The Civil Governor, the Chief of Philippines Constabulary, the governors of provinces, with the consent and approval of the Civil Governor, and the inspectors of Constabulary, with the consent and approval of the Chief of Philippines Constabulary, may authorize in writing any resident of the province to purchase or receive a gun or revolver, or both, when satisfied that the person so purchasing, receiving, and having custody of the gun or revolver needs it for his reasonable protection or will use it for hunting or other lawful purposes only: Provided, however, That in the city of Manila such authority shall be granted by the Chief of Police of said city, with the consent and approval of the Civil Governor. A list of the licenses issued hereunder shall be kept by the officer issuing them, and notice of the issue of each license shall be given by the issuing officer to the Chief of Philippines Constabulary. The Chief of Philippines Constabulary shall keep a record of all persons to whom written authority to keep an arm or arms has been issued. The Civil Governor may, by executive order, issue regulations as to the form of written authority to be issued and provide for the exaction of a bond upon terms to be fixed by him, which shall be conditioned for the safe-keeping of the weapon authorized to be purchased or held. Any person, not connected with the Army or Navy of the United States or otherwise authorized by law, having in his custody a gun, a revolver, or other firearm, or ammunition for the same, who shall not have the license under this section provided, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars and imprisonment not exceeding one year and one day."

SEC. 2. The public good requiring the speedy enactment of this bill, the passage of the same is hereby expedited in accordance with section two of "An Act prescribing the order of procedure by the Commission in the enactment of laws," passed September twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred.

SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect on its passage.

Enacted, March 4, 1903.