Upper House clears Arms Bill

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 10

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday cleared the Bill providing life imprisonment for manufacturing and possessing of illegal arms, misuse of arms. Besides, it proposes to streamline the licensing process and to create a portal having data-base of names of licensees, details of legal arms, and ammunitions manufactured in the country along with their purchasers.

The Upper House passed the Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019, following rejection of a clutch of amendments moved by the Opposition Members. A demand to refer it to the House’s Select Committee for further scrutiny was turned down.

Replying to the debate in the House, Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said although in the new dispensation a person can possess two guns, he can keep the third gun only after “deactivating” it under the existing Arms Rules, 2016.

The status of third gun comes in on account of the present law which allows a person to possess three guns. The new rule enjoins upon the possessor of the third gun to deposit it to police station concerned, or an authorised gun dealer.

Reddy announced the relaxation in response to suggestions from Members that there are a large number of cases where one inherits guns from ancestors. The arms besides having antique value, have sentimental attached with them.

The Bill increases the validity limit period of license from the present two to five years. Also,the process of licensing will be digitalised.

The proposed portal will have a data-base of licensees, details of guns and also ammunitions. “The amendment to the Arms Act is not politically motivated, but aimed to improve law and order and to tackle terrorist incidents,” Reddy said.

Husain Dalwai of the Congress appreciated theBill saying illegal arms are being sold in Mumbai as “vegetables”.