Joffrey Landero learned how to make guns as a teenager.<br/> <br />He comes from the town of Danao in central Philippines, known for producing firearms sold on the black market.<br/> <br />Hundreds of these men have now opted out of the illegal trade and have been hired by Shooters Arms Manufacturing - whose factory exports guns to the U.S., Europe and Australia.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) GUN ASSEMBLER AT SHOOTERS ARMS MANUFACTURING, JOFFREY LANDERO, SAYING:<br/> <br />"I'm no longer scared, because we're now doing this legally. Back at home, we were always hiding."<br/> <br />With their nimble hands - the men churn out high-quality revolvers and pistols.<br/> <br />Factory owner, Romulo de Leon, knows he's hit upon a unique advantage.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF SHOOTERS ARMS MANUFACTURING, ROMULO DE LEON, SAYING:<br/> <br />"I heard stories about them, from way before - that they are really good. No need to train them (in gun making)."<br/> <br />Moves such as employing underground gunsmiths are helping legalize such sectors of the industry, turning them into dollar-generating assets.<br/> <br />The industry has predicted a 10 percent growth in the next five years, fueled by a growing demand for small arms, primarily in the U.S.<br/> <br />But hundreds of thousands of illegal firearms still fall into the hands of civilians or rebel groups, and many backyard workshops still exist.<br/> <br />Nandy Pacheco heads a lobby group called the Gunless Society. He says incidents like the recent shooting in Colorado are reminders of the consequences of liberal gun laws.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF GUNLESS SOCIETY, NANDY PACHECO, SAYING:<br/> <br />"There are many good things we can imitate about America (but) but why in heaven's name do we have to imitate the bad ones- the gun culture, violence?"<br/> <br />The Gunless Society is pushing for a law that makes it a crime for civilians to carry guns in public, but the proposal has yet to find support in the government.<br/> <br />Michaela Cabrera, Reuters.
