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.