THE growth and development of the firearms’ manufacturing industry will all depend on the number of educated and responsible gun owners.
This was according to Senator Ronaldo ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa as he joined the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers, Inc. in the fight against loose firearms, while promoting gun safety, and responsible gun ownership.
“We must continue to educate our citizens about gun ownership. Ating i-propagate ng husto ang responsible gun ownership. Kung lahat tayo magiging responsable, mas marami ang magiging miyembro ng ating society na gun owners not just simple hobbyists and sportsmen. Kapag ganito, hindi magiging mahigpit ang gobyerno sa mga manufacturer at importer mas maganda para sa industriya,” said Dela Rosa in a short message during the opening of the 29th AFAD Defense and Sporting Arms Show on Thursday at the SMX Convention in Pasay City.
Dela Rosa acknowledges the contribution of the firearms industry not just for creating jobs for Filipinos, but also for the growth of the economy.
“Ilang mangagawa ang nakikinabang sa industirya na ito? Mula sa paggawa ng piyesa, accessories and paraphernalia. ‘Yung mga importer natin hindi biro ang naibabayad nilang tax. If the industry is getting better the economy follows,” said Dela Rosa, whose family is noted sports shooting campaigner.
AFAD president Alaric Topacio expressed his gratitude to Dela Rosa, other lawmakers, and different law enforcement agencies for their continued support to the industry.
“Foremost in AFAD’s mission is to educate every Filipino, not just the hobbyist, sportsmen, and private gun owners on how to be a responsible gun owner. From a mere firearms’ dealer group, AFAD transformed into an association lobbying bills to create laws that are beneficial to all stakeholders,” stressed Topacio.
The five-day event which runs until Monday (May 29) offers huge product discounts from exhibitors such as Stronghand Incorporated, Final Option Trading Corporation, Force Site Inc, Lynx Firearms and Ammunition; Tactical Precision Trading, Armscor Shooting Center, Defensive Armament Resource Corp., Topspot Guns and Ammo, Lordman Leathercraft Guns and Ammo, True Weight, Tactics SOG Industries Inc., Trust Trade, and PB Dionisio and Co., Inc.
Also in the show are Tactical Corner Inc, Squires Bingham Intl./Armscor, Shooters Guns and Ammo Corp., Nashe Enterprises, Willi Hahn Enterprises, Metro Arms Corporation, R. Espineli Trading, Imperial Guns, Ammo & Accessories, Lock and Load Firearms and Sporting Goods, Pascual Gun Works, Metro Sporting Arms Show, Santiago Fiberforce, Jordan Leather and Gen. Mdse, Magnus Sports Shop, Speededge, Inc, Greyman Elite, Inc., Bonanza/Icarus Shirts, CBX Trading and General Merchandise, among others.
photo 1: AFAD Vice President Edwin Ano poses with one early bird client Batman.
photo2: Senator Bato Dela Rosa