States told to limit arms with rifle club members

Citing violation of the Arms Act, the Centre has asked the state governments to take "immediate steps" on extra arms issued to rifle associations and clubs. The move comes after the Union home ministry's directives were challenged before the Delhi High Court in 2021. The MHA in 2019 amended the provision of section 3(2) of the Arms Act, 1959, requiring an individual arms owner to compulsorily deposit or sell one of the three weapons endorsed on his/her arms licence.

In a letter to the states, the MHA noted "contravention" to the 2019 Arms Act provisions and said that "some states are allowing permission to the members of rifle club & association (licensed or recognised by the central government) for keeping more than two firearms in their individual capacity by misinterpreting the provisions of section 3(3) of the Arms Act, 1959." It clarified that "while granting arms licence on inheritance or heirloom basis, the limit of two firearms shall not be exceeded."

As per the amended section 3(2) of the Arms Act, those in possession of more than two firearms are required to deposit the third arms at the nearest police station. "Provided that a person who has in his possession more firearms than two at the commencement of the Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019 may retain with him any two of such firearms and shall deposit, within a year from such commencement, the remaining firearm with the officer in charge of the nearest police station or a licensed dealer or, in a unit armoury, after which it shall be delicensed within 90 days..., " it states.