Procuring a firearm may no longer be easy

[mundaire]

Procuring a firearm may no longer be easy

Debasish Panigrahi, Hindustan Times
[email protected]
Mumbai, September 13, 2010

Perturbed by the liberal allotment of firearm licenses, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has introduced several changes in the norms for granting arms licences to individuals in regard to two categories of weapons — prohibited bore (PB) and non-prohibited bore (NPB). In a circular issued to all


state governments and union territories (UTs) on March 31 this year, the MHA has laid down stricter conditions for acquiring firearms licenses.
As per the circular, the initiative has become imperative in order to “curb the proliferation of arms in the country”.

The circular further states that issuance of PB

weapon licenses, which is decided by the MHA, will be made only on the basis of a terrorist threat perception to the applicant.

The license will be granted subject to recommendations from the district magistrate (DM), the state government, and the police verifying the applicant’s credentials.

The new guidelines also bring back a check on allocation of NPB weapon licenses as there were no norms for acquiring NPB weapons.

But, henceforth, the applicant's ability to handle arms will be a mandatory check along with his antecedent check and threat perception.

One of the most glaring changes in the new guidelines comes with the intent to curb the All India Validity (AIV) of NPB licenses to non-categorised people.

The MHA has asked states to consider the area validity to a maximum of three adjoining states.

Also, some provisions of the Arms Act, 1959, were being misused to allot licenses to people of dubious credentials.

For instance, the licensing authority could grant a license if the police delayed the process of verification of antecedents. However, these delays will now reduce as the police have been advised to send their reports within 45 days.

Moreover, severe restrictions have been imposed on the quantity of ammunition that can be allotted to a licensee.

The total number of ammunition that can be purchased by a licensee (both PB and NPB) has been fixed at 50.

The state governments have been asked to devise a mechanism for reporting the use of ammunition by the licensee.

A record has to be maintained, which would state the date of use of ammunition, place, purpose and the number of bullets fired.

A person’s license can be revoked in case of failure to report any details.

Also, a database on arms licenses both at the state and the MHA level has also been suggested.

[snIPer]

Oh man. this doesn't sound good at all.
Things are going from bad to worse.

Recently i got a notice from the PS stating that i have not produced the weapon for endorsement there and so was asked to come.
I went there with my license - after the details were entered into their register i was asked how many cartridges i had and that was entered into the register too.

/S/

[nagarifle]

bed times are ahead, buy your MPs now. or loose what you got.

[rover12]

Seems like the Goverment (read Home Ministry) is hell bent on harrassing actual law abiding citizens who want to own weapons in a perfectly legitimate manner. Why don't they get their priorities right and pay attention to more serious matters like the growing Maoist menace, Kashmir and other troubled spots(where arms are easily available, albiet illegally)!

[.32]

Select & elect better people/Govts. from now. Its time for a change, change is a must, things/Govts must keep changing.

[SYED833]

what are our options here??practically speaking that is..i am BANG in the middle of this problem.my licence application is under review and this 'ORDER' is messing it all up..and the funny shit is,,my local MLA s brother,who happens to have 4 kidnapping cases and 1 murder case against him, has applied for his licence after i did,and has got his licence granted in one week,but yours truly,a law abiding citizen is running around for 3 months with no end in sight...AND WE DARE TO SAY INDIA IS A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC...

[nagarifle]

i wonder if the MHA is encouraging people who want guns to join the naxels? since MHA allows and approves them keeping arms. its good to know that MHA does not considers the naxels of arms polifir... what ever.

eh does anyone know about the membership of naxels?

[kb100]

what are our options here??practically speaking that is..i am BANG in the middle of this problem.my licence application is under review and this 'ORDER' is messing it all up..and the funny shit is,,my local MLA s brother,who happens to have 4 kidnapping cases and 1 murder case against him, has applied for his licence after i did,and has got his licence granted in one week,but yours truly,a law abiding citizen is running around for 3 months with no end in sight...AND WE DARE TO SAY INDIA IS A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC...

If what you say is true, you have an iron clad case in the court of law! Slap a case on the buggers!

[snIPer]

the question is who will bell the cat?
/S/

[fantumfan2003]

Oh so they are perturbed with granting of licenses to civilians ? And what about illegal communist infantry weapons with all the terrorists, naxals, organised criminals for more than 30 years now ?

Time to write to HT. They are one of the new entrants to this CIRCUS called media, but we must write to Mr. Debashish anyway.

M.

Procuring a firearm may no longer be easy

Debasish Panigrahi, Hindustan Times
[email protected]
Mumbai, September 13, 2010

Perturbed by the liberal allotment of firearm licenses, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has introduced several changes in the norms for granting arms licences to individuals in regard to two categories of weapons — prohibited bore (PB) and non-prohibited bore (NPB). In a circular issued to all



A person’s license can be revoked in case of failure to report any details.

Also, a database on arms licenses both at the state and the MHA level has also been suggested.

[SYED833]

@kb100,,slap a case on the cops citing local MLA s BROTHER?? oh boy..this country belongs to the goondas and politicians..my case involves both of them..i want to live boss,,got 2 kids that i have to bring up in this world..i hope you get the point..

[psm]

Situation is very crucial for those who's application is not through yet. Licensing authorities have got tool in the form of MHA circular to harass applicants. Suggestions/Guidelines/Course of Action are needed from Subject Gurus/Masters.
PSM

[goodboy_mentor]

Licensing authorities have got tool in the form of MHA circular to harass applicants. Suggestions/Guidelines/Course of Action are needed from Subject Gurus/Masters.

1) Use RTI (details: http://indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10826)
2) Approach High Court with help of good lawyer
3) Co-ordinate everything with NAGRI President - president(at)gunowners(dot)in Vice President - vp(at)gunowners(dot)in Secretary General - secgen(at)gunowners(dot)in

[psm]

goodboy_mentor,

One of my known applied for addition of weapon. Authorities turned down his application by quoting reason as MHA circular. Their paper work is in order. They say that they are working on latest instructions/guidelines issued by the Govt. from time to time. So I think there is little left for RTI use.

PSM

[vrohan59]

And exactly how are we supposed to account for ammo??What about ammo bought previously?? Damn these buggers(PC in particular) We should file a PIL to find out how many weapons PC and his family members and friends own

-- Tue Sep 14, 2010 5:38 pm --

what are our options here??practically speaking that is..i am BANG in the middle of this problem.my licence application is under review and this 'ORDER' is messing it all up..and the funny shit is,,my local MLA s brother,who happens to have 4 kidnapping cases and 1 murder case against him, has applied for his licence after i did,and has got his licence granted in one week,but yours truly,a law abiding citizen is running around for 3 months with no end in sight...AND WE DARE TO SAY INDIA IS A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC...

THATS WHY THEY CALL IT INCREDIBLE INDIA,IT HAPPENS ONLY HERE