The Commission on Elections (Comelec) clarified on Tuesday that “toy guns” or gun replicas are included in the ban.

“Airsofts, airguns, imitation firearms, replicas are included in the ban,” Comelec Spokesperson Rex Laudiangco told reporters.

However, Laudiangco also clarified that toy guns “which are readily and easily distinguishable from real firearms” are excluded from the ban.

“That’s why the enumeration of what would be considered as firearms for the purposes of the ban are those which have the look of a real firearm. Not readily distinguishable,” he explained.

The ban on firearms, he added, also includes other deadly weapons, such as bladed weapons.

However, he clarified that bladed instruments regularly used in trades or professions are excluded from the ban.

Meanwhile, Comelec reported that the total number of gun ban violators has climbed to 32.

Most of the violators are from Central Luzon (10 violators), followed by Metro Manila (nine), with three each in the Bangsamoro Region and Northern Mindanao, and two in Calabarzon.

The Ilocos Region, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and Davao Region have one arrested violator each so far.

The nationwide gun ban is in effect from 11 January to 12 June.