Jammu’s famed gun makers not ready to bite the bullet yet

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Jammu’s famed gun makers not ready to bite the bullet yet
Jammu’s guns are appreciated for their quality and enjoy a wide clientele. However, changing markets and the surge in militancy is pushing the business, which makers consider a tradition, to the brink of shutting down.
India Updated: May 18, 2017 13:12 IST
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria
Hindustan Times, Jammu

A worker assembles guns at a factory in Jammu. Indian government banned civilian firearms licenses in early 1990s in Kashmir valley when an armed rebellion broke out against Indian rule. Subsequently, majority of gun factories either had to shut or shift base to Jammu region. Rising militancy in the valley in the recent years has pushed the traditional gun manufacturers on the fringes of closure. (Nitin kanotra / HT Photo)

Tough regulations and a market slump for handmade 12-bore double- and single-barrel guns have hit Jammu’s private, licenced gunmakers. But they won’t bite the bullet yet.

Business went downhill when armed militancy erupted in Jammu and Kashmir in the 1990s, prompting the government to strictly regulate norms for giving arms licence to people.

In the restive Kashmir Valley, gun production was banned. Jammu’s gunmakers faced hard restrictions that pushed seven of 26 units to close shop.

Besides, manufacturers couldn’t make guns above a strict production ceiling.

Today, 19 units are trying to ply the trade they call a tradition.


Jammu is the second largest gun manufacturer in India with more than 20 working active factories. A majority of gun factories either had to shut or shift base after the government clampdown in the 1990s following the spike in militancy. (Nitin Kanotra/HT Photo)

“We are the pioneers in India in manufacturing 12-bore double-barrel and single-barrel shotguns,” said Sumit Kumar, the owner of Santokhoo Gun Manufacturers, established in 1952.

His factory makes between 30 and 40 guns a month, depending on the demand.

“In our troubled state, getting an arms licence is an uphill task. Most of our clients now are former soldiers who come to us for a gun to get jobs as private guards, or to keep a firearm for security at home,” he said.

Jammu’s guns are appreciated for their quality and their clientele ranges far and wide — Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi and Bihar.


The butts are made of Kashmiri walnut wood while the barrel, trigger and other metal parts come from Punjab and New Delhi. (Nitin Kanotra/HT Photo)

The weapon goes through rigorous tests before it’s sold. The barrels are sent to ordnance factories in Jabalpur and Kanpur for inspection.

“We have a team of experienced and professional gunsmiths. Our team ensures the product meets the standards,” Kumar said.


Jammu became the second largest gun manufacturer in India after gun makers moved to the region post 1990s. Only about 1500 guns are made annually. (Nitin Kanotra/HT Photo)

A double-barrel shotgun costs up to Rs 20,000. The single-barrel is cheaper at Rs 14,000.

But the protracted insurgency has almost killed a flourishing trade, and thrust around 1,300 workers and their families into an uncertain future.

Kumar said the government should ease norms in issuing gun licences to people — a debatable demand but legitimate for people from the trade.

The tough licence norms and production cap won’t go away too soon, given the situation the restive Valley. A state home department official hinted as much, besides saying the 12-bore shotgun has become virtually obsolete now.

Gunmakers like Kumar has little option but stick to their guns.


Gun makers consider the business a tradition, and are unwilling to give up on the craft just yet. At present there are just over 20 factories that operate. (Nitin Kanotra/HT Photo )


A worker giving a shape to the barrels of a gun at a gun factory. Majority of their clients now are former soldiers who need guns to get jobs as private guards, or to keep a firearm for security at home. (Nitin Kanotra/HT Photo)


A double-barrel shotgun costs up to Rs 20,000 while the single-barrel is cheaper at Rs 14,000. These factories pioneered the manufacturing of 12-bore double-barrel and single-barrel shotguns in India. (Nitin Kanotra/HT Photo)


But the protracted insurgency in the Jammu and Kashmir valley has almost killed a flourishing trade and thrust around 1,300 workers and their families into an uncertain future. In the restive Kashmir Valley, gun production was banned. Jammu’s gunmakers faced hard restrictions that pushed seven of 26 units to close shop. (Nitin Kanotra/HT Photo)


Before a weapon is sold in the market, it undergoes rigorous tests with the barrels being sent to ordinance factories in Jabalpur and Kanpur for inspection. (Nitin Kanotra/HT Photo)

[Vikram]

One can only wish good luck to them.

[Santokhoo Gun Works]

Its true that we are bond under laws in making and selling shotguns.

We want that our government should ease the norms in issuing gun licences to people at least for 12 bore Shotguns

I am not saying this as l am 12 bore shotgun manufacturer but as a common citizen, 12 bore shotgun is a very basic weapon and every one should have this at home for security and it serves generations to generations. As per the security this weapon is safe in many ways.

We are making finest shotguns but they have very limited market

As we have to keep our unit running and to keep more than 1300 employees busy working in all the units

We are forced to give only basic models of guns in market as 80% of market demands basic Models

We have made some for our finest models but they cost us sky, we have very limited Customers for that.

We thank our government for Arms rule 2016 we have some expectations on this lets hope for the best.

We have seen many up and downs in this unbalanced Trade

Still we are working and fulfilling the demand of Shotguns in INDIA as gun Manufacturing is our Tradition

Regards
Jeetesh Dusgotra


Jeetesh Dusgotra
Santokhoo Gun Works (Eagle)

[Biren]

Hi Jeetesh,

There is demand for fine shotguns, many donnt apply for license as the question is after obtaining licence what next as there is no quality manufacturer here. Also not many would be keen to visit Jammu for get tailor made shotguns. Apart from manufacturing shotgun do you take up matters like butt replacement for rifles?

Rgds
Biren

[Santokhoo Gun Works]

Hmm ... We are also exercising on our marketing to sell only finest quality of Shotguns PAN INDIA .... yes we do Repair weapons

Jeetesh Dusgotra
Santokhoo Gun Works (Eagle)