Cabinet clears one person, one gun amendment

KV Prasad

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 28

The Centre decided to restrict holding of licensed firearm to one as against the existing three weapons per person and renew arms licence every five years, instead of three years. The Union Cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday approved the Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019, to bring the changes to the 60-year-old Act — a move that attracted resistance from sections of former service personnel, erstwhile Royals and a gun rights group.

The amendment would deter the potential perpetrators from indulging in illegal arms and ammunition trade and its manufacturing, streamline licensing provisions, better address the present day security needs and effectively deal with the incidents of proliferation and trade of illicit arms and ammunition, sources privy to the objectives behind the decision said.

The Bill also proposes to provide a licence in the electronic-build stricter regulatory mechanism to check illegal possession of arms through enhanced punishment such as from seven years to life term, in place of current 3 to 7 years jail, for illegal manufacturing, sale or transfer, conversion, repair, import and export of firearms or ammunition.

In case of possessing or carrying prohibited arms or ammunition, the punishment will be 7 to 14 years from 5 to 10 years, and where firearms taken forcibly from police or armed forces, the punishment envisaged is 10 years to life. In cases of illegal manufacturing, sale, transfer, conversion, repair, test or proof or prohibited firearms or ammunition, the punishment would be 10 years to life instead of seven years to life, the sources said.

Rash and negligent use of firearms in celebratory gunfire endangering human life or personal safety would attract punishment of two-year jail or Rs1 lakh fine or both, once the Bill is cleared by Parliament. It is likely to be introduced in the current session.

Meanwhile, some members of the ex-servicemen and erstwhile royals feel the move would deprive those with threat security and possession of heirlooms collected over generations. While there is a move by members in Parliament with royal lineage to petition the government, a group of ex-servicemen, including former Northern Army Commander Lt Gen BS Jaswal (Retd), submitted a letter to the Central government last week.

Among other things, the former high-ranking defence personnel cite utility of each of three weapons for personal protection, sentimental value of heirloom weapons, status quo ante for those pursuing shooting as a sport, high-risk and vulnerable individuals especially retired defence personnel.

A similar move was dropped in 2010 with shooters coming together on a platform to form the National Association of Gun Rights India, its spokesperson Abhijit Singh said, adding that as per the National Crime Records Bureau illegal weapons are behind the majority of crimes.