using firearms registered on target shooting licence for self protection

[jaskirat singh]

Hello everyone ! can you guide me regarding using of firearms registered on the licence for the purpose of target shooting . can we use them for self protection or conceal carry them for self protection? or you need to apply for another licence for self protection ? will the authority issue another licence book for self protection ? please help me out with this . thank you

[Vineet]

Interesting question and its a grey area because things are not clearly mentioned in arms act.

First thing is that law does not say that a person owning sports license can not have license for self defence or vice versa. At the same time I have not seen a person having both licenses at same time.

Carrying sports weapon for self defence would be something illegal because we are completing changing the purpose for which the weapons are given to us. Recently Punjab government said that it will not change category from self defence to sports or vice versa, if one needs to change category than he will have to apply for new license from scratch. As police report and other documents should support the purpose of license.

Ammo allowed on self defence license ranges from ten to two hundred where as on sports license it is in thousands and upto one lac.


If one has sports weapon at home and one uses them in the need of self defence then there is nothing illegal in it. In the need to protect ones life in immediate grave danger, one can use whatever is available at that time.

[Mr.Shome]

Hello,

Vineet has very succinctly explained this. If I may add my two cents - a sportsman who earns a license after tremendous hard work may face some very uncomfortable questions and potentially risky outcomes if he or she is unfortunate enough to be stopped by the authorities to explain the reason for carrying that firearm.

Claiming to carry a firearm issued for sports, specifically for self-defense, is certainly a highly undesirable situation to be in, given the attitude towards private ownership. Personally, I don't subscribe to this thought but my personal thoughts don't count!

So, it's probably not a great idea to risk all that hard work, but yes, using that firearm or any available weapon in a life or death scenario is more than justified.

[Vineet]

Came to know that there is a court judgement that says sports weapons can be used for self defence.

[GVS]

Came to know that there is a court judgement that says sports weapons can be used for self defence.

That's great news Vineetji.

If you happen to get a copy of the judgement can you kindly share it here.

Thanks
GVS

[Mr.Shome]

A sane judgement indeed. Hopefully, further sanity prevails. Would be really interesting to know what prompted this.

[StampMaster]

As long as a weapon (stick/knife/gun etc.) which ever is used for self defence is exempted from punishment. However, there are exemptions. You have to justify the use of force which has to be reasonable in nature. E.g. If the threat is persistent and you are being attacked by a knife, rod, gun etc which will put the defendant to instant death or grievous injury then use of gun is a reasonable way to defend yourself.

And coming to your questions, the license status does not even matter i.e. even if the arms license holder is your family member and you use it for legitimate purpose of self defence you are be given exemption under self defence. And importantly, without practice, owning a weapon is no good and owning one (for target shooting) you cannot defend yourself and family is equally bad.

Self protection (including family and property) is part of RIGHT TO LIFE under Fundamental Rights.

Search online for Sections 96-106 of Indian Penal Code for more examples.