Carrying of Firearm in Public Place

[edgaringoa]

Does a licensed firearm (issued for self protection) have to be concealed while in a public place or can the licensee lawfully clip the holster to his belt? Whats the right thing to do here? I see a lot of people carrying their weapons (revolvers & pistols) in shoulder bags or plastic bags and are too conscious of carrying it openly in the respective holster.

[goodboy_mentor]

There is no restriction or regulation as per law as to whether you need to carry it concealed or openly. Such practices have more to do with local cultures and social situations than the law or for some reason the person does not want to reveal that he is carrying a weapon. Since the cost of firearms is very much inflated artificially by imposing regulations, people avoid displaying them from the fear of being stolen or snatched. In northern India, especially in country side, it is not uncommon to find people carrying shotguns/rifles openly or pistols/revolvers in holsters.

[bandukbhandar]

Whenever the Police/DM as the case may be, imposes Section 144, then at those times you are not permitted to carry weapons openly, or sometimes are even not allowed to carry concealed.

Kezar Husen Bandukwala

[edgaringoa]

Thank you Gentlemen for the valuable advice.Where I come from lay persons with guns are looked upon as persons in some sort of trouble or proceeding to make trouble. The frown says it all. I still did not get used to the stares that a gun attracts even outside a gun dealers shop and while I took it for registration to the DM's office and the PS. It's all in the mindset-their's and mine i guess.

[dr.jayakumar]

frankly speaking,i would love to wear my pistol,but people , as you all say''frown'' ,why do you need a gun?can't help,but at least our later generation will be able,i hope!

[Bhargav]

The frown is everywhere, I an in the US and even here where the RKBA laws are very lenient, the common public gets bit tensed if they find out a civilian carry a conceal carry

[.32]

I understand the prohobition of carrying licensed weapons inside Banks but many shopping malls, private commercial organisations also do not permit their entry. How fare is this, can they prevent licensed weapons inside their premises?

[Bhargav]

Well I think they can. Once you are on their property they can prohibit.

[.32]

What does the law say about it, a mall/shopping center, cinema is a public place afterall!

[SYED833]

i think they have the right to admission..it depends from one place to another..recently my dad and me were on a trip to chennai and the hotel chola sheraton allowed us to check in with his dbbl gun, after taking down the details in a register that they maintain.[maybe it helped that we know the GM there personally } .some places have issues with licencees,and some dont..

[dr.jayakumar]

okay, lets asume the mall or cinema hall does not permit.in that case they should have a place to deposit your gun or do they expect us to leave the gun in glove box?nothing stupid as that leaving in your car.what are we supposed to do leave the mall without shopping?

[winnie_the_pooh]

Any place/area/building that is privately owned and has the means to deny ingress(read a boundary wall with gates/doors) is not a public place.

As far as what you can or can not do,try reading the terms and conditions mentioned in your license.They are pretty comprehensive but are rarely read by licensees.

[Anand]

There was an earlier discussion regarding an incident that I faced recently at Inox Theatres in Hyderabad. please look it up. My understanding is that though the owners of the place reserve the right of entry, my contention is that by disarming me ( illegaly by the way) they are taking away my right to self defense. If an "untoward incident" happens and I am unarmed because they disarmed me, will they take the responsibility of my safety?? Also the License is issued by the Government, therefore restrictions may be placed only by the Government, not by either individuals or private entities.
There is no force of law in their rules. It is like saying the rules of my house say that you can only enter with your pants down , by doing so, the fact is you are violating my right to privacy and dignity.
The rules of any entity in India can NOT be in contravention of the Constitution of India, simply because it may be a private entity. Most public places inluding 5 star hotelsand malls in Hyderabad have put in place registers/log books to record the entry and exit of all legally armed persons. As far as I know this is about as far as they can go without violating more rights.
Anand

[.32]

@Anand, +1.
I felt the same, most malls, cinema halls, etc affix notices on entrance about firearms not allowed but who ensures the safety of thus disarmed(licensed) citizens.

VIP's, etc still take their bodyguards(armed) inside such places. So, are the rules different then!

Also as a member mentioned, these places do not provide a safe counter for depositing arms.

[prashantsingh]

Depends where you are living.
I live and work in a small town where I don't see the need to carry a firearm.
On the other hand I make sure that I carry one on trips to my farm situated in Moradabad Dehaat, specially if I have to go out after sunset. The more visible the firearm (rifle), the better. Keeps "chota -mota chore-ucchakkas" away.