Now, submit bullet usage record to get arms licence renewed

Strap: Move after cops bust gangster-licence holder nexus in recent shootouts

Fact file

6,000 Arms licence holders in Gurugram

200 Bullets one can buy in a year

7 Gun houses operating in city

1 Gun house shut last month after discrepancy found

Sanjay Yadav

Gurugram, September 16

To curtail trigger-friendly culture in the millennium city, the Gurugram police have mandated prior submission of bullet usage records before licence renewal.

The decision comes in the wake of recent shootouts where the police discovered a nexus between gangsters and licence holders who would provide bullets issued in their names to the former.

A licence holder can get 200 bullets issued in a year. Some of them are allegedly handing the same out to local gangsters who have in the recent past terrorised the city with firing as many as 40 bullets in one go.

Issuing an order in this regard, the police have asked all gun houses and licence holders to exercise caution in getting bullets issued and maintain accounts of bullets used. The records would be counter checked with declarations and any discrepancy would lead to cancellation of licence.

“They will be making declarations in affidavits and we will be counter-checking the same with records and will take stern action in case of any discrepancy,” said a senior police officer of arms licence branch.

Sources claim that the police have got leads about many gun houses and licence holders misusing bullets. At present, more than 6,000 arms licence holders are in Gurugram and they can purchase 200 bullets on a licence in a year. Eight gun houses are operating in Gurugram and one of these was shut last month after discrepancy in bullet provisions was spotted.

“The process has been changed to stop illegal use of fire bullets. At the time of licence renewal, the holder must provide information about the usage of bullets and if he fails to provide it, his licence will not be renewed,” said Nitika Gehlot, DCP, headquarters.