20/08/2026
PNSA STATEMENT ON RESPONSIBLE FIREARM OWNERSHIP AND SAFETY
The Philippine National Shooting Association (PNSA) joins the nation in mourning the tragic loss of young lives following the recent shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University.
Our deepest sympathies go to the families of those who lost their lives, the injured, their classmates, teachers and the entire school community affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.
As an organization committed to the development of Olympic and sports shooting, we believe it is important to make one distinction clear: shooting as a sport is not about violence.
Responsible shooting sports are built on discipline, concentration, precision, respect for rules, safety and, above all, self-control. These are values that every responsible shooter is expected to uphold.
At the same time, this tragedy reminds us of the enormous responsibility that comes with firearm ownership.
The PNSA supports stronger and more effective measures for responsible firearm ownership—including rigorous licensing and eligibility standards, secure storage, prevention of unauthorized access, and continuing accountability of firearm owners.
A license to own a firearm must come with an equally serious responsibility to secure it.
But laws and enforcement alone cannot address the deeper issues surrounding violence in our society.
The family is the fundamental unit of society, and responsibility begins at home. Parents and guardians who keep fi****ms must ensure that they are properly secured and inaccessible to children and other unauthorized persons. More broadly, families must remain engaged in the lives of young people—listening, guiding, teaching empathy, respect, accountability and the consequences of our actions.
Schools, communities, government and society as a whole also have an important role to play. Education must extend beyond academics. We must strengthen social awareness, responsible behavior, conflict resolution and respect for human life, while paying closer attention to the challenges faced by our young people in an increasingly complex digital and social environment.
We should also allow the authorities to complete their investigation without speculation about motives or circumstances that have not yet been established.
What we can do now is reflect on what this tragedy teaches us: preventing violence is a shared responsibility.
The PNSA believes that the values inherent in responsible shooting sports—discipline, safety, self-control, respect and accountability—are precisely the values that our society should continue to strengthen.
We stand ready to work with government agencies, law enforcement, schools, sports organizations and other stakeholders in promoting firearm safety, responsible ownership and stronger safeguards against unauthorized access.
Fi****ms must never become instruments of tragedy. Responsible ownership means responsibility not only to oneself, but to one’s family, one’s community and to society as a whole.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and loved ones of those affected by this terrible tragedy.
Veneranda “Iryne” C. Garcia
Secretary General
Philippine National Shooting Association
