Sir, with all due respects and abiding by the laws, I hereby submit my sincere views as a Arms Licensee for the past 35 years and as a sports shooter for the past 26 years.
I)It is indeed very sad to note that this proposed reduction in the number of firearms , a person can acquire ,have in his possession or carry at any time ,from the existing limit of THREE FIREARMS to ONE FIREARM.
2)This amendment is totally un warranted ,and blind as it does not have any basis of scientific research data, based on crime records or valid reason connecting any law and order situation or criminal acts directly or indirectly connecting or attributing any adverse criminal acts by such multiple arms licensees because of this provision of the existing three firearm limit for the Indian citizen.
3)This three firearm provision has been already provided ,keeping in mind the ground reality and practicality of use of these three types of firearms that are basically and expressly needed for use for different types of situations for which the user /licensee is the best judge.
SHOTGUN ( MUZZLE LOADING ,DBBL, SBBL, PUMP ACTION ) which is the most affordable for anyone and all round protection and versatile type firearm. It is always a property specific firearm or stationary that is normally held in the home, farm or any other property as a deterrent and offers overall security against criminals and animals alike. It also has its limitations such as size and not easy to conceal and carry in any mode of transport like motorcycle, car, train or aircraft discretely. It can be mistaken as a sign of aggression if carried around in public by others and police. the law also does not allow us to take it unsheathed. Any Shotgun owner can use his shotgun to practice TRAP SHOOTING or SKEET SHOOTING as a pastime and for this he needs TWO TYPES OF SHOTGUNS.
HAND GUN ( pistol / revolver) This is the most expensive type of firearm that many firearm licensee’s want to posses but not able to buy because of the enormous cost . It is the best close quarter protection weapon for anyone( ladies, businessmen, old persons living alone ) in all situations. It can be carried discreetly and offers a great sense of protection and is not intimidating and can be carried easily in all modes of transport and luggages . This is also used as a pastime sport for TARGET SHOOTING to practice their shooting skills in an emergency situation.
c)RIFLE (NPB) This is normally possessed by persons specifically for either long distance protection like in a large area of property or remote area ( farms ,estates) to ward off CRIMINALS or ANIMALS at a safe distance or for Target shooting and both.
4) With regard to Shooting sports there are different types of disciplines :-
a)Rifle shooting competetion :--
a) Open sight Competition -- for which a standard type of .22 rifle is needed .
b) Peep sight Competition --- For which you need a Imported ISSF specific .22 rifle.
c) Big bore Competition --- For which a large caliber rifle other than .22 rifle is required.
bShotgun shooting competetion :--
a) Trap Shotgun ( with a choke barrel)
b) Skeet Shotgun (Cylinder barrel)
c)Pistol shooting competetion :--
a) Free pistol
b) Sports Pistol
c) Match Pistol
5) For basic beginner Sport shooters they have to start with four kinds of weapons. These have to be sourced from the INDIAN ORDNANANCE FACTORIES or NRAI which are substandard and it is a nightmare experience with no after sales and service or spares. Even the Indian military has rejected its products.
6)The advanced Aspiring shooter level sports persons need imported weapons conforming to ISSF rules which is unaffordable by many shooters so they improvise with the IOF guns .
7) As legal hunting has been banned, most licensees have become part time sport shooters and visit local or SDA or SAI ranges for recreational shooting,using their additional firearms of choice, adding to the sport shooters team and thereby keep INDIA in a leading and commanding position in shooting sports globally.
These part time sports shooters use their licensed weapons for both Sport and Self protection with their multiple weapons.9) In India the common law abiding licensee does not have a affordable choice of quality weapons as the IOF does not produce it ISSF /SAMI or any international standard
10) All law abiding citizens who posses three weapons for SELF PROTECTION do so ONLY IF THEIR SITUATION WARRANTS for a specific purpose and if they feel it is very necessary for their safety , or it has been inherited and being held as a heritage of their ancestral property and traditions.
11) Given today’s cost of acquiring the three firearms, ammunition the CORRUPTION, RED TAPE and WILFULL DELAY in getting the licences and endorsments from THE VERY LEARNED LICENCING AUTHORITIES , the COSTS and TIME , no one will acquire a second or third weapon, in the first place unless very necessary.
12) In my humble opinion the Government should give express and immediate importance to :--
a)Complete elimination of illicit weapons which are easily available to criminals on a war footing and the most stringent punishment for illegal arms possession and manufacture.
b)Encouraging the domestic arms and ammunition industry and employment of gunsmiths and people with gun making skills.
13)ONLINE ARMS LICENCING and RENEWAL:-
a) As the police and all ranks of the licensing authorities play a very bad and negative role in the process of arms licensing .It is a fertile ground for Corruption, nepotism, hypocrisy and use this to settle scores with political factions and favouritism. So even law abiding citizens opt for illicit weapons when their genuine applications are delayed and denied a They do this as a last resort in desperation and out of their own security reasons.
b) Re-Write the ARMS ACT and RULES in simple language without ambiguity for the benefit of the citizens and educate the very learned Licensing authorities and their ranks about the arms act and rules as done for election staff by online classes .
. c) create a online system where the applicant for new license or renewal is screened by all the security agencies of the country like passport verification, simultaneously within the stipulated time and the application is decided within the legal time frame and the concerned licensing authority is personally responsible for any delay or deficiency of service.
d) Issue a easily traceable foolproof Aadhaar / driving license type smart card with QR Code instead of the present book form . This make the system foolproof, secure and transparent and traceable.
14)Extend the area validity to ALL INDIA for all licenses and make it compulsory to register in all district ,state borders, crossing points , railway stations and airports or when the licensee carries his weapon in transit this helps in tracking both the licensee and the weapon and prevent gun crimes.
15)End the system of deposit of firearms during elections as many licensees in rural areas feel vulnerable and go for illicit weapons or crude bombs for protection from opposite parties or criminals or animals. Order shoot at sight for any fire arm violators during elections.
.
.
16)The govt has made a gross blunder in providing NPB arms to other government departments like the FOREST DEPARMENT where the corrupt ranks use civilian ammunition 12 bore and 315 to poach the protected animals . This has not been given thought and rectified. A lot of .303 rifles that are serviceable and lying idle with the govt can be replaced for the 12 bore shotguns and 315 rifles so that insider crimes can become traceable.
This is my humble comments and suggestion as a law abiding citizen of INDIA. I pray that these points will be scrutinised and made use of for the safety and security of india.
JAI HIND.
