Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar gives gun amnesty, asks holders of unlicensed firearms to surrender by Nov 1

Bengaluru: Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar on Friday asked people possessing unlicensed firearms to surrender them before November 1, offering an amnesty to those who voluntarily hand over their weapons.

The government will strictly enforce the deadline and take stern action against those found possessing unlicensed guns after November 1, Shivakumar said while speaking at the National Forest Martyrs Day observance in Bengaluru. He reiterated the appeal while speaking to the media later.

Shivakumar said several forest department personnel had lost their lives after being targeted with unlicensed weapons. He urged those keeping guns for protection against wild animals or to safeguard livestock to obtain proper licences.


The chief minister said the government would not register cases against those who voluntarily surrender their unlicensed firearms. He also said he would discuss a more liberal licensing regime with the director general of police.