Election gun ban takes effect in RP

Election gun ban takes effect in RP

MANILA (Reuter): A 150-day ban on people carrying guns took effect in the Philippines yesterday ahead of national legislative and local elections in May.

The ban is aimed at curbing the traditional political violence that accompanies elections in the Philippines, where gun ownership is common.

The whole of the House of Representatives and half the Senate will be elected on May 8 along with town mayors and provincial governors.

Police and other law enforcers are not included in the ban while on duty and people facing threats to their life can apply for special permission to go armed. Ban violators could face prison sentences of at least six years, police said.