How to procure an arms license in India?

[siddhartha kataki]

A big hello to all the members. I wanted to know how to procure an arms license in India. I did some research and have come to the conclusion that it is a very tedious process and only a handful of selected people are allowed to have a gun license. Also, professional shooters (shooting sportsmen) can get an arms license quite easily (comparatively speaking). Is it true? Will it be possible for an ordinary law abiding citizen who is 26 years old and without any criminal record or any mental or physical illness to enlist as a professional shooter inorder to avail a license? If yes, then how? Suggestions and ideas from people with relevant knowledge is highly anticipated.

[Vikram]

Welcome to IFG.

While I understand that you intend to get a gun license, your approach is not something IFG encourages. You apply under sports category if you already are one or intending to be one.Using it as a pretext to get a license is not only unethical, it will jeopardise other applicants who genuinely want to get into shooting sports.

Understanding the legal requirements, your rights and determination to see it through will help you get what you want.

[farook]

A big hello to all the members. I wanted to know how to procure an arms license in India. I did some research and have come to the conclusion that it is a very tedious process and only a handful of selected people are allowed to have a gun license. Also, professional shooters (shooting sportsmen) can get an arms license quite easily (comparatively speaking). Is it true? Will it be possible for an ordinary law abiding citizen who is 26 years old and without any criminal record or any mental or physical illness to enlist as a professional shooter inorder to avail a license? If yes, then how? Suggestions and ideas from people with relevant knowledge is highly anticipated.

Hi You can apply for a arms license under one of these three criteria, Crop protection, this may be limited to a shotgun maybe a rifle on special request, sport shooter for this you have to win a state level tournament with a qualifying score and thirdly under self defense, this is one tedious process and needs a good reason.

[prashantsingh]

If you already have guns in the family. You can also apply in the catagory of--Family Heirloom. Like I did. It is probably an easier way to get a licence. Along with the application I put in a copy of my grandfather's licence and had no problems getting mine. The only problem was that though my grandfather's licences (Rifle,Gun and
Pistol) were valid all over India mine were limited to the state I live in.

[siddhartha kataki]

Thank you, for welcoming me and offering your opinion.

Well, Mr. Vikram, I appreciate your view, but obtaining a license for a 26 year old guy with no viable threat to property or self is next to impossible in our country. Thanks to the strict laws which seems to be intact only in case of getting an arms license. So, I am forced to take an alternate route within the legal boundaries. Then again, I learned, as you've mentioned in here that only a state level shooter can get a license, so by no means its going to be easy. Any ideas on how to make a foray into the world of shooting as a sport in our country?

[Safarigent]

Next to impossible means its possible.
Welcome to IFG.
Follow the law, in spirit and letter.
Rrad up a bit here and you'll find that age is not an issue.

[farook]

Thank you, for welcoming me and offering your opinion.
......Then again, I learned, as you've mentioned in here that only a state level shooter can get a license, so by no means its going to be easy. Any ideas on how to make a foray into the world of shooting as a sport in our country?

Please join your state rifle association

[prashantsingh]

Next to impossible means its possible.
Welcome to IFG.
Follow the law, in spirit and letter.
Rrad up a bit here and you'll find that age is not an issue.

Here is a young man whose arms licence was once rejected.
He did not loose hope and worked hard, and is today a "national" level shooter.
Go through his post.
and he is probably as old as you are.