I. REFERENCES:

a. Memorandum Circular Number 07 entitled "Recognition/Operation of Gun Clubs" dated Septembers, 2006; and

b. Philippine National Police and Philippine Practical Shooting Association Policies on Rifle Competition.

II. PURPOSE

This Circular prescribes the rules and regulations governing the conduct of sanctioned rifle matches, authorization of shooting ranges, prescribing the equipment, range etiquette and storage, and issuance of transport permit,

III. SCOPE

This Circular shall apply to all legitimate high powered rifle holders who intend to use their licensed rifles in sanctioned matches in shooting ranges duly accredited by Firearms and Explosives Division of the Civil Security Group, PNP.

IV. IN THE CONDUCT OF RIFLE COMPETITION

In the conduct of rifle competition, a permit shall be issued to the matches sanctioned by PPSA. Matches will be conducted in compliance with the latest International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) rules and only match officials who are active members of the National Range Officers Institute (NROI) are allowed to officiate a PPSA sanctioned match,

V. FIRING RANGE

Outdoor Rifle Firing Range shall have the following specifications:

1. May have only one bay not less than ten (10) meters in width and thirty (30) meters in length;

2. Location of range must not be less than 1000 meters from the national highway or any main road;

3. Distance from the nearest residential house must commensurate with safety from fired bullet and/or accidental firing;

4. Should not pose a nuisance to the neighborhood where the range is located;

5. Construction of Pit/Bunker shall be as follows:

a. Pits - must be eight (8) feet in depth, five (5) feet in width, and the length, must be the same as that of the target wall;

b. Bunkers - must be constructed in a manner impenetrable by high powered rifles, or assault weapons.

6. Backstop-If there is no natural backstop like a hill or mountain, an artificial one must be constructed with the following specifications

1) Shall be made of concrete materials.
2.) Height- not less than fifteen (15) feet.
3.) Thickness-not less than five (5) feet or as appropriate.
4.) Baffles should be installed when structures (residential or commercial) are visible in the firing line.

7. Target Wall-Must be in front of a hill or mountain, if possible, must be so constructed that it can stop bullets of any caliber. The specification should be at least the same as that of the backstop.

8. Transfer of target ranges and construction of new ones should be made only upon approval by the Chief, Philippine National Police;

9. Safety measures and rules to prevent accidents must be adopted by the gun club and such rules shall be posted in conspicuous places in the target range for the information and guidance of all members; and

10. Unloading/loading area or safety areas should be incorporated in the design of the ranges.

VI. EQUIPMENT

Only duly licensed semi-automatic and manual action rifles are allowed to be used in PPSA sanctioned rifles matches. Fully automatic rifles, or rifles capable of firing bullets in burst/or rifles capable of firing more than one bullet with a single pull of trigger are prohibited.

Barrel length shall be a minimum of 14.5 inches measured from the base of the barrel to the tip of the barrel (not including the flash suppressor).

Only standard ammunition will be allowed during competition. Armor piercing and tracer ammunition are specifically prohibited.

Maximum rifle caliber shall be 7.62 mm

VII. RANGE ETIQUETTE AND STORAGE

Rifles shall be cased while on the range premises except at the firing line. The competitor shall immediately return the rifle in its case as he or she leaves the stage. For visiting competitors of inter-island matches, rifles shall be deposited at the firing range or any appointed armory for safe keeping. Rifles shall not be allowed to be brought to hotels or inns. Rifles shall be kept in safe and secured place (e.g. metal vaults) in the given address of the licensee when not to be used in competitions.

VIII. ISSUANCE OF TRANSPORT PERMITS

Only members of the PPSA shall be issued Permit to Transport (PTT). Only the Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) shall be authorized to issue PTT's for rifle competitions and the same shall be issued based on the match schedules calendared by the PPSA. In no instance that a PTT be issued without the endorsement of the PPSA President or his representative. PTT's issued shall be valid two (2) days prior, during the two (2) days after the competition and a maximum of 500 rounds of ammunition shall be allowed.

Members who have been issued PTT's are required to participate in the match indicated therein. PTT's shall be checked against the match results to ensure that the individual actually participated in the said match.

Members who do not comply with the above requirements shall be denied further issuance of PTT's.

IX. TRANSPORTING RIFLES

Rifles shall be transported in locked rifle cases away from plain view and separate from ammunition. Rifles shall not be carried by the individual on commercial flights or on commercial ships for inter island travel. Rifles should be sent by cargo for inter island matches by duly authorized personnel of FED only.

X. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Unlicensed high powered rifle holders are encouraged to take advantage of the present gun amnesty program by virtue of Executive Order No. 585 dated November 15, 2007.

XI. RESCISSION CLAUSE

All rules.and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby rescinded or modified accordingly.

XII. PENAL CLAUSE

Any violation of the above provisions shall constitute a ground for denial of individual rifle holders to join future matches and if warranted shall be penalized in accordance with our special laws and other related laws.

XIII. EFFECTIVITY

This Memorandum Circular shall take effect 1 days after publication.

Adopted: 25 March 2008