Mayor should back gun ban, instead of opposing it

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña misses the point completely in his objection to a gun ban being implemented by the Philippine National Police for the duration of the Sinulog. While he is correct in saying licensed gun owners underwent stringent exams before they were issued their licenses, that nevertheless is not enough reason not to impose a ban.

The ban is to make sure the Sinulog is not swimming with deadly weapons, in the same way that a similar ban is imposed during the elections. If the logic of Osmeña is to be sustained, then it can be fairly asked why he never objects to the same ban that keeps being implemented election after election, many of which he had been an active participant.

And then the mayor is completely wrong when he says "I am against that policy of disarming the population." Imposing a gun ban on citizens and disarming the population are two different things, even if they may deal with the same subject matter. A gun ban requires a voluntary compliance by citizens. Disarmament requires forceful action by the state.

Osmeña goes on to say that if there is a threat during the Sinulog, he will allow citizens to carry guns for their protection. Wrong again, on two counts. If there is a bomb threat, for instance, what does Osmeña expect of his armed constituents — shoot at the bomb? And if it is the thinking of Osmeña that citizens should be left to defend themselves, what the heck then do we need the police for? Let us just eliminate the middleman.

This is not to question the right of citizens to bear arms for as long as they are duly licensed to do so. But that doesn't mean they have to act like cowboys, especially at a time when huge crowds running possibly into the millions have the tendency to make tempers flare and patience short. At least, without guns, volatile situations can be made less deadly.

Osmeña himself recognizes the dangers associated with the Sinulog and has in fact banned drinking and drunken parties along the parade route. He also shortened the Sinulog, knowing the night hides many dangers. It is thus difficult to understand why he cannot see the danger posed by armed men in places that simply cannot be monitored and controlled by authorities. As one who drinks, he knows how quickly alcohol overwhelms a person, even someone who passed psychological tests to own a gun.

The ban on guns not only is temporary, it is for the public good. It is not born of some capricious whim by some power-hungry official out to show everybody who is boss. It is a practical way of making sure the task of securing and protecting the public a lot easier on those who lay down their lives for the purpose. As a public official with the same mandate, although in a civilian capacity, Osmeña ought to support the ban instead of opposing it.