Hi abhijeet
I have a doubt.! As far I know an rule cannot be enforced legally unless it has a related act.Act can be enforced legally .And a rule become an act/ law only after it passes our legislation. And as of now armrules2016 are rule only..? Not become arms act 2016..? Pls enlighten us.
Regards.
Ranjith Raghavan.
Hi Ranjith,
The Arms Act 1959, and Arms Rules 1962 under it were the ones that we were subjected to thus far. Come July 2016 it was notified through the Gazzette of India that the Arms Rules 2016 had come into force. However, these have not been ratified by both houses of Parliament within the stipulated time period, so are technically not valid. But all authorities and licensees are following the new 2016 Rules (even if they may not have the full force of the law).
The Arms Act 1959 itself has not been amended yet. The consequence of the requested change in Arms Act 1959 which our 108 MPs initiated in 2010/2011, was to bring about some changes that included allowance to import of arms and ammunition, unlimited arms and ammunition to licensees, license validity for lifetime, definition of firearm to exclude minor components and such components that cannot be used as firearms themselves(such as extra barrels, caliber conversion kits etc.) Some of these changes, like unlimited arms & ammunition and life time validity of licensing would require an amendment to the Arms Act 1959 itself.
It appears as if the bureaucrats made changes to the Arms Rules (thus creating Arms Rules 2016) to accomodate as many provisions requested by the 108 MPs, as possible and also clarifying some of the old rules, without changing the Arms Act Itself. Whether the desired amendment will be done in the future is to be seen.
Regards,
Anand