Dealing with the indiscriminate firing of guns

Despite the tragic deaths of innocent people among whom was Nicole Ella, arising from the indiscriminate firing of guns in the air, I doubt if those who do so are deterred by the potentially fatal result of their action. These people who know the risks and dangers of firing their guns in the air yet who do so anyway are criminally minded and must be sick in the head.

I would therefore like to suggest that those who will be caught firing their guns be made to undergo an obligatory extended mental health examination at the National Mental Hospital and if possible, from the precinct where they will be first brought, they should be brought to the Mental Hospital in straight jackets. Being branded as mental cases may be more of a deterrent than simple scare tactics for this will give them a stigma that they can not simply sleep away. This treatment could also be given to those who light illegal and banned fireworks with the DOH announcing this kind of treatment.

I also propose that Innocents Day, which is celebrated every 28th December, be made as a day of remembering (especially in media) all those who died senselessly from stray bullets or illegal fireworks. Apropos, I am interested to know what percent of those reported by the DOH as being injured by illegal fireworks had received police action in the sense that the users were investigated and vendors apprehended and prosecuted. This kind of count may matter more than just a simple injury count. The DILG should also make a count of Barangays who have decided to do away with fireworks in favor of a safer way to greet New Year and encourage more barangays to follow suit.