SENATOR Loren Legarda has renewed her call for stricter firearm safekeeping rules and greater accountability among gun owners following the deadly shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato on September 18.

Legarda said the latest incident highlights the need to strengthen safeguards against unauthorized access to firearms, particularly by minors, following similar school shootings in Tacloban City in June and at Ateneo de Zamboanga University in August.

Legarda filed Senate Bill No. 2472, which seeks to amend the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act by setting clearer standards for the secure storage, safekeeping and control of firearms by licensed owners.

Under the proposed measure, firearms must be kept in a vault, locked container or other secure facility when not in the owner’s immediate possession.

In households where minors are present, keys, combinations, biometric credentials and other means of access must be kept out of children’s reach.

For government-issued firearms, the bill would require agencies to provide compliant storage vaults and conduct physical inventories and audits at least every six months.

Legarda also proposed shortening the period for reporting lost, stolen or unauthorizedly accessed firearms from 30 days to 24 hours from the time of discovery.

The measure, however, would retain protections against warrantless house-to-house inspections without lawful consent or due process.

Legarda said authorities should determine not only who carried out school shootings but also how the firearms were accessed and brought into school premises.

She also called for stronger school security protocols and timely mental health and psychosocial interventions for students affected by violence.

Legarda said her proposal seeks to prevent unauthorized access to firearms, particularly by minors, while strengthening accountability among gun owners and custodians.