LS passes bill to amend Arms Act

Life imprisonment proposed for carrying illegal arms

NEWDELHI:THE Lok Sabha on Monday passed a bill providing a maximum punishment of life imprisonment for manufacturing and carrying illegal arms, and which also seeks to rationalise and facilitate licensing procedures for the use of firearms by individuals.

The Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019, piloted by home minister Amit Shah, was passed by the Lok Sabha after rejecting several amendments moved by Opposition members.

It also ensures that those using firearms in a rash or negligent manner in celebratory gunfire will be punished with an imprisonment of up to two years or with a fine up to ~1 lakh or both. The proposed law is aimed at curbing crimes committed by using firearms, and to provide effective deterrence, Shah said, replying to a nearly three-hour-long discussion in the Lower House.

Under the proposed law, a person can have a maximum of two guns, against the three allowed currently. If a person possesses three or more, the extra guns have to be deposited with authorities or authorised gun dealers within 90 days for de-licensing.

“There were many discrepancies in the six-decade-old law making crime control difficult,” Shah said, referring to the current law, adding that there is also a provision in the bill for life imprisonment for those who snatch arms and ammunition from police or defence forces.

Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Rajyavardhan Rathore sought relaxation in law for those with licensed-guns, including doubling the quota for weapons for sportspersons.

Rathore, an Olympic medalwinning shooter, said celebratory firing must be curbed but it should also be considered that those with valid arms do not get a chance or even learn to handle weapons. Preneet Kaur of the Congress demanded that retired armed forces personnel and qualified shooters be exempted from the restrictions on the number of

Bill not only introduces stringent punishment for manufacturers, traders and users of illegal firearms and ammunition but also imposes restriction on possession of licensed firearms by Indian citizens. The Bill amends certain provisions of Arms Act, 1959.

Maximum punishment of life imprisonment for manufacturing, selling and possessing illegal arms. Life sentence, in most offences, been extended to the remaining life of the offender. licensed firearms in the country

People using firearms in rash or negligent manner during celebrations, endangering human life, shall be jailed for two years or fined Rs one lakh or both.

Arms Act, 1959 allowed any law-abiding Indian citizen to own up to three licensed firearms. Those who were members of rifle clubs could own an additional .22 rifle for target practice. For shooters taking part in events, the ceiling was relaxed as several laws were introduced for them over the years.

The Bill placed before the Lok Sabha by Amit Shah on November 29 said that no Indian citizen can own more than one firearm. This triggered agitation in several states such as Rajasthan, with Rajputs hitting the streets. A large number of Lok Sabha members opposed the bill. The government amended the bill and allowed two arms per person.

There is a provision for life imprisonment for those who snatch or loot arms and ammunition from police or armed forces. Minimum jail sentence for this offence is 10 years.

Illegal import, export, acquisition, sale, delivery, movement or transfer of firearms and ammunition into India or from one part of the country to another will invite life sentence as maximum punishment.

firearms.

All India Majlis-e-ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the bill is against the spirit of federalism.

S Jagathrakshakan of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

Minimum punishment for some of these offences will be 14 years. The Bill also says that two or more people involved in such offences will be considered members of a “crime syndicate.”

New Bill says no citizen can own more than 2 firearms and will have to deposit additional firearms with police or arms dealers within a year. These arms will be delicensed. Rifle club members can own an additional firearm which does not have to be a .22 rifle. Active sportspersons will continue to enjoy relaxations.

Member of an organised crime syndicate or any person possessing or carrying any arms or ammunition shall be punishable with imprisonment for at least 10 years which may extend to life sentence.

(DMK) claimed that majority of crimes relating to firearms have been committed by those who do not possess a license.

Hemant Patil of the Shiv Sena demanded that the bill be sent to a select committee.