Indians For Guns

MUMBAI: The threat from terrorists has made the government do a rethink on gun ownership rules. Civilians facing a "grave threat" to their lives can now apply for a licence to own prohibited bore weapons — hitherto usually granted to defence personnel and for family heirlooms.

In a circular recently submitted in the Bombay high court, the Union ministry of home affairs said applications for grant of prohibited bore weapons would be considered for specific categories of weapons.

Those who can be granted the licence include people who live in areas where terrorists are active and face a "grave and imminent threat to their lives", government officials who, due to the nature of their job, have made themselves targets in the eyes of terrorists, MPs/MLAs, private citizens and family members of people who have been associated with anti-terrorist programmes.

The circular states that such individuals can apply for prohibited bore weapon licences to the MHA, along with police verification and recommendations of the district magistrate concerned and the state government.

Under the arms rules, prohibited bore weapons include 9mm pistols and handguns of .38, .455 caliber and .303 rifles. All semi-automatic and fully-automatic guns also fall in this category.

Non-prohibited bore weapons, which civilians can apply for include handguns of .35, .32, .22 and .380 caliber. The Union government had tightened guidelines for issue of such weapons as well. "At present, there are no norms for grant of NPB weapons and some state governments may
be issuing arms licences liberally," the MHA circular says. NPB gun licences will be granted only after a threat assessment by the police and after verification of the antecedents of the person applying for the same.

The government has, however, extended the ambit of persons who can seek transfer of gun licences. Normally, legal heirs who could seek transfer of gun licences meant spouse, son or daughter. This has now been extended to son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother and sister of the existing licensee.

The government has also decided to maintain a database of people who have been granted gun licences.

The guidelines were submitted to the high court, which was hearing a PIL on a gun licence issued to former Bihar revenue minister Jamshed Ashraf. According to the PIL, Ashraf was granted the licence from the Nhava Sheva police station on the basis of a forged ration card.

In a circular recently submitted to the HC, the Union ministry of home affairs said applications for grant of prohibited bore weapons would be considered for specific categories of weapons. Applicants include civilians who face a grave threat to their lives.

Read more: Civilians get a shot at owning prohibited guns - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city ... z18LozLPx7

indiaone wrote:Working ladies , particularly those who have shift duties need to be encouraged to get trained and go in for fire arms , like Baby Browning .

DAN wrote:

Non-prohibited bore weapons, which civilians can apply for include handguns of .35, .32, .22 and .380 caliber.

.380??? ever heard of it.

Anand wrote:.380 ACP is a common caliber also called 9mm Kurtz or 9mm Short.
Anand