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Acosta vs. Hon. Ochoa [DECISION]

ERIC F. ACOSTA AND NATHANIEL G. DELA PAZ, PETITIONERS, VS. HON. PAQUITO N. OCHOA, IN HIS CAPACITY AS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, HON. MANUEL A. ROXAS III, IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, POLICE DIRECTOR GENERAL ALAN LM. PURISIMA, IN HIS CAPACITY AS DIRECTOR GENERAL, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, POLICE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT MELITO M. MABILIN, IN HIS CAPACITY AS DIRECTOR, CIVIL SECURITY GROUP, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, AND POLICE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT LOUIE T. OPPUS, IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHIEF, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES OFFICE, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, RESPONDENTS. G.R. No. 211567 PROGUN (PEACEFUL RESPONSBILE OWNERS OF GUNS), INC., PETITIONER, VS. THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, RESPONDENT. G.R. No. 212570 GUNS AND AMMO DEALERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC., PETITIONER, VS. THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, PNP FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES OFFICE, AND PNP CIVIL SECURITY GROUP, RESPONDENTS. G.R. No. 215634 PROGUN (PEACEFUL RESPONSIBLE OWNERS OF GUNS), INC., PETITIONER, VS. THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, RESPONDENT.

G.R. No. 211559 | 2019-10-15

DECISION
 
LEONEN, J.:
 
There is no constitutional right to bear arms. Neither is the ownership or possession of a firearm a property right. Persons intending to use a firearm can only either accept or decline the government's terms for its use.

The grant of license, however, is without prejudice to the inviolability of the home. The right of the people against unreasonable searches and seizures remains paramount, and the government, in the guise of regulation, cannot conduct inspections of applicants for firearm licenses unless armed with a search warrant.

This Court resolves the consolidated Petitions assailing the...