Here is a little background . I had applied for the license of a .22 revolver under " Self Protection " category . Everyone and anyone who have applied for a Arms License in India does very well know what hell they have gone through ; here is my experience , till now .I had submitted the Form on 19 Nov 2012 . That time I was told the I would be getting a Letter from my Licensing Authority . After I get the letter , I have wait for 15 days , then go the concerned Police Station and pursue my case . The District Magistrate is my Licensing Authority .
Got the Letter from DM's office in the last week of December , 2012 . Waited for 15 days , as told , and then went the Police Station . On Arrival the Police Station , I was showed the room where , the concerned Officer sits , but I was not able to meet with him as , he was away on Patrolling or something . After waiting there for sometime , another Officer told me to take the mobile number of the concerned officer and contact him over phone . Did so . Gave him , my name and other details ; he said he will look into my file and told me to contact him again after 3-4 days .
Today , 14 Jan 2013 , I was supposed to call him again , but decided to go and meet him Face to Face , during my lunch break .
Now here the fun part begins .....
As I reached my shop , I got a call from my Mom , who was at home , that a Verification Officer has come home , regarding my Arms License .My mom gave him her phone and we talked for a while ; I am just providing the funny parts .
[ Verification Officer = VO ]
VO : Did you apply for a Arms License ?
Me : Yes
VO : What is the need for your arms ?
Me : Self Protection
VO : Are you going to display your arms to other people ?
Me : No
VO : Then what is the need for your arms ?
Me : Self Protection .. as I said earlier .
VO : Are you in the business of transferring of a lot of cash from one location to another location ?
Me : If you asking that whether I am employed by any firm who moves cash from banks to ATMs etc ... then the answer is No .
VO : Where will you be keeping the arms at the residence ?
Me : In a steel Almirah .
VO : Hmmmmmmm
Now this is the EPIC part .
VO : Which arms have you applied for ?
Me : A .22 revolver
VO : Is it a small firearm or a large firearm ?
[ At this point , I thought , maybe I heard something wrong . ]
Me : Pardon ?
VO : I said .. is it a small arms or a large arms ?
Me : ( Barely able to control my laughter ) . It's a small arm . It's the smallest of the NPB calibre revolvers / pistols allowed for civilians .
VO : You see , I don't have much knowledge of arms .
Me : Which Police Station are you from ?
VO : I am not from any Police Station . I am from the BDO office [ BDO = Block Development Officer ]
Me : I was not aware that , there is a Arms section/ department at the BDO's office .
VO : You are right . I am from the Fishery Department . I am the Fishery Extension Officer .
Me : And you are here to do my Police Verification ?
VO : Yes ..
VO : I want you to meet with me in my office . I cannot do this Police Verification Face to Face , I hope you understand .
Me : Sure .. okay .
VO : I am leaving my contact details & contact number , so that we can arrange a meeting at my office .
Me : Okay .
Later , when I returned home , I came to know that he was not at all satisfied where I would be keeping my arms and ammunition .
Although , I live in an Apartment , which is in the middle of a Housing Complex , which has a 12 feet boundary wall and 20 guards , 5 of whom are armed , he still thinks there is a good chance of someone stealing my arms .
I guess I have to put in a 30 tonne steel vault , with 2 feet thick walls and two burly men with M134 mini guns to protect my little IOF .22 revolver and it's 50 rounds of .22 LR ammo
F-N-FiveSeven
