F. L.

VARGAS COLLEGE
CRIMINOLOGY ENHANCEMENT AND TUTORIAL SERVICES 2011
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines
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Rules:
Identification of fire arms is based on the fact that it is never possible to make two tings exactly alike.
Every fire arm has individual characteristics that are a unique to it as the finger prints are to human
being.
BALLISTICS- broadest sense: science of motion of projectiles
Technical sense: science of fire arms identification
Legal meaning: microscopic examination of fired cartridge cases and bullets together
with the recording and presentation by means of photography of what is revealed by the
microscope.

3 Kinds of motion:
1. Direct- action of expansive force of gases out of the burning powder.
2. Rotary- action of the rifling found inner surface of the barrel.
3. Translational- projectile hits the target and subsequently ricocheted.

Origin:
Ballistic derived from greek “ballo” or “ballein” meaning “to throw”
Ballista- roman war machine designed to hurl a javelin, a gigantic bow or catapult.

Col. Calvin H. Goddard MD., pioneered the introduction of ballistics in 1920.

Forensic ballistics- science of investigation and identification of fire arms and ammunition used in c
crimes.

FORENSIC- derived from latin word “forum”- meaning, “the market place”

Branches of ballistics:
1. Interior ballistics –deals with the projectile while inside the firearm –(breech to muzzle)
- Occupies only 0.01 sec in a modern rifle (2006)
- The explosion of the bullet is .0002 seconds
Recoil is affected by several things:
a. Tightness of the f/a is held.
b. Height of the bore above the center of the shock line or wrist for pistols.
c. Shape and design of the butt plate or the pistols grip.
d. Weight of the f/a.
e. Physical and mental condition of the shooter.

Factors affecting the Interior ballistics:

1. Bore erosion
2. Powder index
3. Initial velocity (IV) – speed at which the projectile moves through and out of the bore..
4. Powder temperature- amount of powder in casing is id directly proportional to initial velocity.
5. Powder weight- amount of powder in casing is directly proportional to initial velocity.
6. Projectile weight- a lighter than standard projectile will have a higher initial velocity imparted to
it and vise versa.
7. Chamber volume- affects pressure build up
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 8. Length of barrel – powder acts on projectile longer thus increasing initial velocity.
9. Barrel temperature- causes the powder burn faster affecting pressure build up.
10. Rotating bands- impart an aerodynamic rotation, increasing range.

TRANSITIONAL BALLISTICS- deals with the motion of the projectile from the time it leaves the muzzle
until the only forces acting upon it are due to exterior ballistic.

2. EXTERIOR BALLISTICS- motion of projectile from the time it leaves the muzzle from the time it
reaches he target.

Exterior ballistics involves the following:

1. Muzzle blast
2. Muzzle energy
3. Trajectory
4. Range
5. Velocity
6. Air resistance
7. Pull of gravity
8. penetration

1. MUZZLE BLAST- noise created at the muzzle.

2. MUZZLE ENERGY- energy generated at muzzle point
3. TRAJECTORY- actual curve path of the bullet.
Stages of trajectory
a. Straight horizontal line
b. Parabola like flight- true only in vacuum
c. Vertical drop
Terms relating to bullet path:
1. Back Curve- bullet trajectory that drops below the critical zone
2. Ballistic coefficient- effects of air drag on the bullets flight.
3. Bore centerline- visual line of the center of the bore.
4. Bullet trajectory- bullet’s path as it travels down range.
5. Critical zone – bullet’s path where it neither rises nor falls greater than the dimension specified
6. Initial point- range of which the bullet trajectory first crosses the line of sight.
7. Line of sight- Visual line of the aligned sight path.
8. Maximum ordinate- maximum height of the projectiles path above the line of sight.
9. Maximum point blank range- farthest distance at which the bullet’s path stays within the
critical zone.
10. Mid range trajectory- height of the bullets path above the line of sight at half way to the zero
range.
11. Minute of Angle (MOA)- a minute of angle is 1/60 of a degree which for all practical purposes
equates to 1 inch per 100 yards of range.
12. Zero range- farthest distance at which the line of sight and bullets path intersect.

Additional definition:
1. Range- the straight distance between muzzle and target.
2. Horizontal range- projection of the range in a horizontal plane
3. Position angle or target elevation- vertical angle bet. The line of sight and the horizontal plane.

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 4. Gun elevation- (angle of elevation) vertical angle between the horizontal plane an the axis of
the bore.
5. Sight angle- the vertical component of the angle between the line of sight and the axis of the
bore.
6. Angle of fall- the vertical angle bet. the horizontal and the tangent to the trajectory at the
point of fall.
7. Time of flight- total time which elapses during the flight of the projectile from the gun to the
point of fall.
8. Sight deflection: lateral component of the angle between the line of sight and the axis of the
bore.
9. Drift- the lateral deviation of the trajectory from the vertical plane through the axis of the bore
caused by the rotation of the projectile.

The drift of an elongated, rotating projectile may be considered to result from three causes:
1. Gyroscopic action- rifling of the gun causes the projectile to rotate in flight with sufficient
rapidity to behave as gyroscopic.
2. Magnus effect-
3. Cushioning effect-

Trajectory analysis:
- The effect of this gyroscopic force is called DRIFT, and is always to the right, because naval
guns are rifled with right hand twist.

4. RANGE- straight distance between muzzle and target.

A. Accurate range (maximum effective range)- distance within the firer has control of his
shots, meaning he can place his shots at a desired spots. (pistols are effective 50 to 75
yards)
B. Absolute maximum range-farthest distance that a projectile can be propelled from a f/a.
5. VELOCITY- rate of speed of the bullet per unit of time(second)
Long barrel riffle- 3000 yards; muzzle velocity: 1000 to 4000 ft/sec.

Note: Rifled weapons maybe either be long-barreled rifles (2-3ft),or short barrel pistols (1-12”).

Conditions: this refers to natural laws.

1. Velocity- the speed of a bullet measured in ft/sec.
2. Energy- he fatal equivalent of a bullet.
3. Yaw- unstable rotating motion of the bullet.
4. Keyhole shot- tumbling of the bullet in its flight and hitting the target sideways as a result of not
spinning on its axis.
5. Gyroscopic action- stillness of its rotating motion and attain its highest momentum for stability
in flight penetrating power.
6. Tailwag- the end of the projectile wobbles before it picks up a smooth flight path.
6. AIR RESISTANCE- (aerodynamic drag) resistance encountered by the bullet while in flight which
reduces the speed of projectile.
7. PULL OF GRAVITY- downward reaction of the bullet towards earth’s center due to its weight.
8. PENETRATION- dept of entry of the bullet on the target.

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 EXTERIOR BALLISTIC FACTORS
1. Projectile weight
2. Projectile shape
3. Wind
4. Gravity
5. Air density
6. Air temperature
7. Initial velocity
8. drift

TERMINAL BALLISTICS- deals with the effect of the impact of the projectile on the target.

Hint: at two hundred yards, an average military rifle, projectile will penetrate about 24 inches of loam,
14 inches of oak, and 7 inches f dry sand or 4 inches of concrete.

Terminal ballistics involves the ff:

1. Terminal accuracy- size of bullet grouping on the target.
2. Terminal energy- energy of the projectile when it strikes the target.
3. Terminal penetration- dept of entry of the bullet on the target.
4. Terminal velocity- speed of the bullet upon striking the target.

FORENSIC BALLISTICS- study of fire arms identification by means of ammunition fired from them.
Divisions:
1. Field investigations- refers to the work of the investigator in the field. It concerns mostly with
the collection, marking, preservation, packing and transmission of ballistics exhibit such as fired
bullets, fired shells, fire arms and allied matters.
2. Technical Examination of the ballistics exhibit. - refers to the work of firearms examiners or
experts who examine bullets and or shells whether fired from the suspected fire arm submitted;
and or determine also whether or not cartridges were loaded or ejected from the suspected fire
arm submitted. Reports are made by the experts and testify in court.

RIFLING- helical grooves known as rifling are cut into the bore of a barrel of firearm during production
to increase the accuracy of the firearm.

SHOT BALLISTICS- refers to the study of shots from smooth bore f/a’s like shotguns and muskets.

Shotgun- has a smooth bore; fire multiple pellets and also it can fire single slug.
Construction:
1. Chamber- encloses shotgun shell
2. Forcing cone- constricts the charge of pellets entering the bore
3. The bore

Gauge- refers to the measure of caliber of shotgun.

Choke- the partial constriction of the bore of the muzzle. Full choke on 12 gauge reduces muzzle bore
from .729 in. to .694 in.

WOUND BALLISTICS- refers to the study of projectiles penetration on tissues.

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3 basic kinds of gunshot wound (GSW) distinguished by the proximity of weapon causing them.
1. Contact- gun muzzle pressed against, or within an inch or two, of the body.
2. Close discharge- 6” to 2 ft.
3. Distance discharge- over two or three ft.
PART 2
Famous persons in ballistics:
1. Col. Calvin H. Goddard- father of modern ballistics
2. Horace Smith- founded smith and Wesson
3. Daniel B. Wesson- partner of smith in revolver making
4. John M. Browning- wizard of modern fire arms
5. John T. Thompson- Pioneered making of Thompson sub machine gun
6. David “Carbine”Wiliams- maker of first known carbine
7. Alexander john forsyth- father of percussion ignition
8. Elisha king root- Designed machinery in making colt f/a’s
9. Eliphalet Remington- first rifle makers
10. John Mahlon Marlin- Founder of Marlin Firearms company
11. James Wolfe Ripley- He stimulated the development of the model 1856 rifled musket.
12. Samuel colt- produced first practical revolver
13. Henry Dirringer he gave his name to whole class of f/a’s
14. Jogn C. Garand- invented semi automatic U.S. rifle cal. 30 MI
15. Oliver Winchester- one of the earliest rifle and pistol makers.

FIREARM
Technical definition:
An instrument that is used for the propulsion of projectiles by means of expansive force of
gases coming from burning powder.

Legal definition: (section 877 of the revised Administrative code and sec. 290 of national internal
revenue Code)
Fire arms or arms includes rifle, muskets, carbines, shotguns, pistols, revolvers, and all other
deadly weapons from which bullets, balls, shots, shells, or other missiles maybe discharge by means of
gun powder or explosives. The term also includes air rifle except those that are small in caliber and
usually as used as toys. The barrel of any fire arm is considered a complete f/a for all intents and
purposes thereof.

Two Groups of fire arms

1. Long arms or shoulder arms
A. Rifle- is a fire arm with a rifled barrel designed to be fired from the shoulder.
B. Musket- long smooth bored f/a that is designed to prepare a single shot.
C. Shotgun- a shoulder gun with smooth bored barrel (25-30 inches).

NB (Nota bene); note well: Some shot shotgun barrels have rifling to give better accuracy with
slugs or greater pattern spread to bird shot.
D. Carbine- a short barrel rifle having a barrel not larger than 22 inches

PARADOX GUN- shotgun having the last few inches of the muzzle rifled so that it will impart as a spin to
the patented slug.

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 Type of rifle:
1. Single shot
2. Lever action
3. Bolt action
4. Pump action
5. auto loading (erroneously called “automatic rifles”)
2. Hand Arms Or Short Arms
1. Pistol – a hand gun that is magazine feed. Small, portable fire arm, that is held, aimed and fired
with one hand and has a short barrel a breech lock-and-load firing mechanism.
Origin of the word pistol is believed that it may have been derived from Pistola, an Italian City
and province in Tuscany.
2. Revolvers—f/a designed to be fired from the hand and having a rifled barrel and revolving
cylinder containing several chambers each of which holds one cartridge.
Revolvers carries 5,6, or up to 8 shots in a cylinder.
Q: What is the largest gun in history?
A: The largest gun ever used in combat is generally accepted to be the german “Gustav Gun” Built in
1941 by the Krupp Company.

GAT- slang term for pistol

GATLING GUN- world’s first genuinely effective rapid fire weapon.
Maximum machine gun- the world’s first true machine gun.
Submachine gun (synonyms “machine pistols”, erroneously machine guns) A f/a w/ a rifled barrel firing
pistol ammunition, designed to be fired from the shoulder or the hip and capable of fully automatic.

TWO GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE ARMS

I. According to gun Barrel internal construction:
1. Smooth bore f/a- f/a that have no riflings (lands and grooves inside their gun barrel)
ex. Shotguns and muskets
2. Rifled bore f/a- have rifling inside the barrel.ex. pistols, revolvers, rifles.
II. Main type of F/A according to caliber
1. Artillery- are those type of fire arms that propel projectiles more than 1 inch in
diameter. Ex. Cannons, mortars, bazooka.
2. Small arms- f/a that propel projectiles less than 1 inch in diameter. Can be operated by
one man.
III. Types of fire arms according to mechanical construction.
1. Single shot firearms- type of fire arm designed to fire only one shot for every loading.
Ex.P,R,S= Pistol, rifle, shotgun
2. Repeating arms- f/a fires several shots in one loading.
Ex. Automatic rifles , revolvers, rifles, shotguns.
3. Bolt action type- the reloading is done by manipulating of the bolt.
Rifles, machine guns, shotguns.
4. Automatic loading type- sautomatic loading or feeding of the cahmber takes place after
the first shot was fired.
5. Slide action type-(thrombone)- the loading takes place by back and forth manipulation
of the under forearm of the gun. Sex. Rifle, shotgun.
6. Lever type- (Break type) – the loading takes place by lever action on the f/a.

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 Ex. Rifles, shotguns.
IV. Types of Fire arms accdg to use.
1. Military -f/a- pistols, revolvers, rifles, machine gun.
2. Pocket and home defense arms- pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns.
3. Target ort Men’s Firearms- Pistols, revolver, rifles.

V. Unusual or Miscellaneous Type- firearms that are unique in mechanism and construction.
Ex. Paltik pistols, paltik, revolvers, paltik, rifles, paltik shotguns.

THREE MAIN PARTS:

REVOLVER .38- barrel assembly, cylinder assembly, frame or receiver
PISTOL .45- barrel assembly, slide assembly, frame/receiver
RIFLE CAL.30- barrel assembly, magazine assembly, stock assembly
SHOTGUN gauge 12- barrel assembly, magazine assembly, stock group.

Cartridge- refers to a complete unfired unit consisting of bullet, cartridge case, propellant powder, and
primer.
Ammunition- shall mean loaded shell for rifles, muskets, carbines, shotguns, revolvers and pistols from
which a ball, bullet, shot, shell, or other missiles maybe fired by means of gun powder or other
explosives.
Cartridge –derived from the word “charta” means paper.
The French word “cartouche” meaning, a roll of paper.

Note: The first successful metallic cartridge to incorporate projectile, propellant, primer was invented in
1836.

Parts of Cased Ammunition:

1. Bullet
2. Cartridge case- sometimes called SHELL
3. Gunpowder
4. Primer- refers to the metal cap cvontaining the highly sensitive priming mixture of chemical
compound which when hit or struck by firing pin would ignite. Such action is called PERCUSSION.

Classification of cartridge according to location of primer:

1. Rim fire- primer is at the rim in a n area around the circumference of the base.
2. Center fire- one with a centrally located primer assembly, intended to be fired in a rifle or
caliber .17 or greater with a muizzle velocity greater than 2,000 ft, per sec.

Q: WHAT IS THE MOST POWERFUL HAND GUN? (See two groups of fire arm)
A: the .44 magnum.

Q: Is blank ammunition really dangerous?

A: absolutely yes.

PART FOUR
Shot shell- the cartridge for shotgun. Also called as “shell”
Parts of shotgun shell:
1. Tube or case-

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 2. Primer
3. Powder
4. Crimp
5. Wads
6. Lead shots
Three categories:
1. Birdshot, 2. buckshot, 3. Slugs
Note: with shotguns, the term “magnum” refers to shell containing more shot and powder than the
standard shell.

Q: how long will ammunition last in storage?

A: Properly stored ammunition can last at least 40 years or more without any problems. The caveat here
is “proper storage”.

BULLET: Refers to metallic or non metallic, cylinder projectile propelled from a fire arm by means of
expensive force of gases coming from burning powder. Layman’s term of bullet is SLUG.
PELLET: small spherical projectiles loaded in shot shells and more often called “shot”.

Parts:
1. Base
2. Bearing surface
3. Cannelure
4. Core
5. Headheight
6. Heel
7. Jacket
8. Meplat
9. Ogive
10. Point
11. Shoulder
Classification:
1. Lead bullets- those which are made of leads or alloys of these metals (lead, tin, antimony) which
is slightly harder than pure lead.
2. Jacketed Bullets- those with a core of lead covered by a jacket or harder material such as gilding
metal, a copper alloy of approximately 90%.
Types of Bullets
1. Hard ball- a copper shealth, the jacket, over a core of lead (full metal jacket)
2. Armor Piercing Bullet- have hardened steel cores and are fired against vehicles and other
armored targets in general.s
3. Tracer bullets- the bullet that when ignited by the propellant emits light or smoke.
4. Incendiary bullet- contain a mixture such a phosphorous or other material, that can be set on
fire by impact.they are used against target that will rapidly burn such as air craft or gasoline
depot.
5. Fragmentation- similar to hard ball ammo w/ stress lines manufactured into the slug. The
bullets split into fragments when hitting soft tissue.
6. Pointed bullets- more effective ballistically than the round ball of same weight.
7. Dumdum bullet- out-moded and generally misused term. The dum-dums, were outlawed for
use in war.all soft bullets, split nose bullets, hallow point bullets with the core expose are dum
dums.

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8. Soft Point or “mushrooms”- bullet that will expand upon striking in an object and therefore
produce much more serious shock and have corresponding stopping power.
9. Hallow point Bullet- a bullet with a cavity in the nose designed to increase the expansion when
it hits the target (sometimes called “Express bullet”)

Hallow point bullets are designed to provide rapid expansion while soft points are designed to
provide deeper penetration before expansion, but that performance can vary based upon the
design to bullet and the impact velocity.

10. Steel Jacketed bullet -is a bullet having soft steal jacket, often clad or plated with gliding metal
to prevent rusting and reduce frictional resistance to the bore
11. X-bullet is a solid copper projectile, heat treated for extra toughness with no separate jacket
and no lead core. The bullet holds together for deep dependable penetration. A deep for ward
cavity causes the nose to peel back into four razor-edge petals. Viewed head-on, the appearance
these four petals give the X-bullet its name.

PART 6.
Cartridge cases/ shell/ casing
This refers to a tabular metallic or non-metallic container which holds together the bullet,
gunpowder and primer.
The cartridge case is the portion of the cartridge that is automatically ejected from the
automatic firearm during firing and these remains at the scene of the crime. This is firearm
evidence that can help trace a particular firearm from which it was fired.

Parts:
1. Rim- this serves the purpose of limiting the forward travel of cartridge into their chamber
and this also limit the clearance.
2. Primer pocket- it holds the primer, provides means to escape of gas, provides solid support
of primer anvils.
3. Vent or flash holes- refers to the hole in the web or bottom of the primer pocket.
4. Head and body- constitutes the “cork” that plugs the breach of the barrel.
5. Neck- part of the cartridge case that is occupied by the bullet.
6. Canelure- serrated grooves
7. Crimp- mouth of the case.
8. Base- bottom portion of the case, contains primer, priming mixture.
Head-stamp: manufacturers identification imprinted or embossed on cartridge.
9. Extracting groove- circular groove near the base of the case or shell designed for automatic
withdrawal of the case after each firing.
10. Shoulder- support the neck.

CARTRIDGE CASES ACCORDING TO CASE SHAPE

1. Straight- pistol ammunition. 2. Bottleneck- riffle ammunition. 3. Tapered- obsolete

HEAD FORMS:
1. Rimmed- used in revolvers. diameter of the base of the cartridge is very much bigger in the
diameter of the body. Example revolver and shotgun.
2. Semi-rimmed- combination of the advantages of rim and rimless.
3. Rimless- the diameter of the body is same as the diameter of the cartridge case

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 4. Rebated rimless- larger diameter case with an existing smaller volt.
5. Belted case- combination of the smooth feeding of the rimless with the consistent head
spacing of the rim.

PRIMER- a small, self-contained metallic ignition cap at the center of the base of the
ammunition case.

Alexander john forsyth- first to conceive the idea of using detonating compound in 1807.

Parts of primer:
1. Primer cap- contains the priming mixture made up of brass, gilding metal or copper.
2. Priming mixture- highly sensitive chemical mixture contained in the primer cap.
3. Anvil- portion of the primer against which the priming mixture is crushed by the firing
pin.
4. Disc- piece of small paper of tin foil which is pressed over the priming mixture.

1. Corrosion- chemicall wear and tear of the insideof the gun barrel due to rust formation or
chemical reaction by the products of combustion after firing.

2. Erosion- mechanical wear and tear of the inner surface of the gun barrel due to mechanical
abrasion or sliding friction.

TWO GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Class characteristics - those determinable even before the manufacture of firearm.
Individual characteristics - those determinable only after the manufacture of firearm.

Class characteristics and the types of the pistol and revolvers according to rifling.
1. Steyr type- 4 grooves, 4 lands, right hand twist, with grooves and lands as equal width. Used in
early models but encountered to the Philippines during the early days of the Americans
2. Smith and Wesson-5GL-RHT,
3. Browning Type-6GL RHT.
4. Colt Type-6GL RHT.
5. Webley Type-7GL RHT.

Caliber
The caliber of a bullet is their diameter in centimeters, millimeters or 1/100 of an inch.

How do we determine the caliber of the gun?

It is determine by measuring the diameter of the gun barrel from land to land.
Gunshot residue –(GSR)
Cartridge Discharge Residue- (CDR)
Firearm Discharge Residue- (FDS)

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 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8294

AN ACT AMENDING THE PROVISIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1866, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "CODIFYING
THELAWS ON ILLEGAL/UNLAWFUL POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE, DEALING IN, ACQUISITIONOR DISPOSITION OF
FIREARMS, AMMUNITION OR EXPLOSIVES ORINSTRUMENTS USED IN THE MANUFACTUREOF FIREARMS,
AMMUNITION OR EXPLOSIVES, AND IMPOSING STIFFERPENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONSTHEREOF, AND FOR
RELEVANT PURPOSES"

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Presidential Decree No.1866, as amended, is hereby further amended to readas follows:

"SECTION 1.Unlawful Manufacture, Sale,Acquisition, Disposition or Possession of Firearms or

Ammunition or Instruments Used or Intended to beUsed in the Manufacture of Firearms or Ammunition.
— The penalty of prision correccional in its maximum period and a fine of not less than Fifteen thousand pesos
(P15,000) shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully manufacture, deal in, acquire, dispose, or
possess any low powered firearm, such as rimfire handgun, .380 or .32 and other firearm of similar firepower, part
of firearm, ammunition, or machinery, tool or instrument used or intended to be used in the manufacture of any
fire armor ammunition: Provided, That no other crime was committed."The penalty of prision mayor in its
minimum period and a fine of Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000) shall be imposed if the firearm is classified as high-
powered firearm which includes those with bores bigger in diameter than .38 caliber and 9 millimeter such as
caliber .40, .41, .44, .45 and also lesser calibered firearms but considered powerful such as caliber .357 and
caliber .22 center-fire magnum and other firearms with firing capability of full automatic and by burst of two or
three: Provided, however, That no other crime was committed by the person arrested.
"If homicide or murder is committed with the use of an unlicensed firearm, such use of an unlicensed firearm shall
be considered as an aggravating circumstance."If the violation of this Section is in furtherance of or incident to, or
in connection with the crime of rebellion or insurrection, sedition, or attempted coupd'état, such violation shall be
absorbed as an element of the crime of rebellion, or insurrection, sedition, or attempted coup d'état."The same
penalty shall be imposed upon the owner, president, manager, director or other responsible
officer of any public or private firm, company, corporation or entity, who shall willfully or knowingly allow any of
the firearms owned by such firm, company, corporation or entity to be used by any person or persons found guilty
of violating the provisions of the preceding paragraphs or willfully or knowingly allow any of them to use
unlicensed firearms or firearms without any legal authority to be carried outside of their residence in the course of
their employment."The penalty of arresto mayor shall be imposed upon any person who shall carry any licensed
firearmoutside his residence without legal authority therefor."

SECTION 2. Section 3 of Presidential Decree No.1866, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 3.Unlawful Manufacture, Sale, Acquisition, Disposition or Possession of Explosives.
— The penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period to reclusion temporal and a fine of not less
than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully manufacture,
assemble, deal in, acquire, dispose or possess hand grenade(s), rifle grenade(s), and other explosives, including but
not limited to 'pillbox,' 'molotovcocktail bombs,' 'fire bombs,' or other incendiary devices capable of producing
destructive effect on contiguous objects or causing injury or death to any person. "When a person commits any of
the crimes defined in the Revised Penal Code or special laws with the use of the aforementioned explosives,
detonation agents or incendiary devices, which results in the death of any person or persons, the use of such
explosives, detonation agents or incendiary devices shall be considered as an aggravating circumstance."If the
violation of this Section is in furtherance of, or incident to, or in connection with the crime of rebellion,
insurrection, sedition or attempted coupd'état, such violation shall be absorbed as an element of the crimes of
rebellion, insurrection, sedition or attempted coupd'état. "The same penalty shall be imposed upon the owner,
president, manager, director or other responsible officer of any public or private firm, company, corporation or
entity, who shall willfully or knowingly allow any of the explosives owned by such firm, company, corporation or
entity, to be used by any person or persons found guilty of violating the provisions of the preceding paragraphs."

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SECTION 3. Section 5 of Presidential Decree No.1866, as amended, is hereby further amended to readas follows:
"SECTION 5.Tampering of Firearm's Serial Number. — The penalty of prision correccional shall be imposed upon
any person who shall unlawfully tamper, change, deface or erase the serial number of any firearm."

SECTION 4. Section 6 of Presidential Decree No.1866, as amended, is hereby further amended to readas follows:
"SECTION 6.Repacking or Altering the Composition of Lawfully Manufactured Explosives.
— The penalty of prision correccional shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully repack, alter or
modify the composition of any lawfully manufactured explosives."

SECTION 5. Coverage of the Term Unlicensed

Firearm. — The term unlicensed firearm shallinclude:
1) firearms with expired license; or
2) unauthorized use of licensed firearm in the commission of the crime.

SECTION 6. Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior and Local
Government shall jointly issue, within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act, the necessary rules and
regulations pertaining to the administrative aspect of the provisions hereof, furnishing the Committee on Public
Order and Security and the Committee on Justice and Human Rights of both Houses of Congress copies of such
rules and regulations within thirty (30) days from the
promulgation hereof.
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is
declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions thereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SECTION 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official
Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved: June 6, 1997

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