criteria for obtaining a license in the sports category

[amk]

Hi,

In the application for a license for sports does one have to prove current active involvement in shooting sports, participation in competitions or will mere Membership of a Rifle association and general target shooting proof suffice?

If one needs to participate in competitions to get a sports license then how can one participate if he/she doesn't have a gun? I know the clubs have them but they are usually in great demand and difficult to get for someone starting out. It all sounds like a chicken and egg situation to me.

[mundaire]

Hi Amk,

Just like with most things related to arms licensing in India, it's completely at the discretion of the licensing authority... if they want to give you a hard time, they will! Else, they may even issue you a license under sports/ shooting category if you've simply been to a couple of NCC camps or maybe not even that... like I was saying, there is no set criteria.

Just thinking aloud here... one way forward could be to first compete in a couple of air-rifle/ air-pistol competitions, then on the basis of that try and get yourself a .22 rifle license (as this is a relatively easier license to get), once that is done compete in a few .22 rifle matches, and maybe beg/ borrow a club/ range/ friend's gun to enter in one of the other events - then on the basis of those participation certificates apply for another license etc.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[jayanta mukherjee]

Abhijeet and AMk,
Sorry for addressing you both in the same steam. But Abhijeet the situation is totally diffent in this part of the country. Since only a rifle club membership suffices. Andd trust me when i tell you that of all babudom, Bengal's babudom is the hardest nut to crack..... but then again fully it is the discretion of the licensing authority.
So AMK think that firstly you should go and talk with the clerk dealing with the applications and take him , rather win him on your side and get the cat out of the bag regarding the Commissioner's or DM's Personal Preferences. Well am suggesting you this since it's always a personal preference as Abhijeet said. so all the best buddy...
JAyanta

[amk]

Too late for that Jayanta, I applied a few months ago

Abhi, as far as the law is concerned, there is no such requirement if I'm not mistaken. What a stupid situation. If I knew this earlier I would have just applied under protection category. But then they would have raised the question why/how do you want to protect yourself with a rifle/shotgun in a city like Mumbai, and you've already got handgun licenses.

I'm not so keen on a long gun as it's completely impractical here, at the local range you can only shoot .22 and I don't go to farms and open areas out of the city very often; I just applied for the heck of it.

Crazy man, I don't like to do this but may have to speak to someone higher up if I get keen.