Government likely to introduce safety measures while liberalising Arms Act Rules

NEW DELHI: The government is likely to introduce safety measures while liberalising gun laws. Changes proposed to the Arms Act Rules,1962, forbid one to point a firearm at anyone without “good reason.” A gun cannot be brandished in a public place but concealed in a holster. There will also be a ban on firing in the air at marriages, fairs and public events. Such firing has led to many deaths in rural and semi-urban areas. Failure to abide by the guidelines will lead to cancellation of weapon licence.

However,certain change of provisions is likely to find favour with businessmen and professionals who undertake frequent trips across India. Union Ministers, MPs and bureaucrats of all-India service will be considered for an all-India validity licence, than a state-specific one, so they can carry guns everywhere legitimately.

ET was the first to report, on January 14, that the government would amend the more than half-a century-old rules to make obtaining gun licences simpler and faster by introducing a deadline for deciding on the applications and reducing the number of application forms. The draft rules, in public domain, fulfill the aim with conditions.

“This is a counter-check to ensure people handle licenced arms responsibly,” a top home ministry official told ET. So in the application form for obtaining a gun license, the “restrictions” on carrying a firearm in a public place have been spelt out. “No person may carry a fire arm in a public place unless the firearm is carried in a holster or similar holder designed, manufactured or adapted for the carrying of a handgun,” the draft rules now say.