The notification is out -
http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/E_548_2013_019.pdf
Info courtesy Safarigent
Just scanned through it and amongst all the confusion managed to glean a few points:
1. Renown shots to once again be certified by Min of Sports and not the NRAI as was being done over the past couple of years - regressive step
2. 2 new categories created - Junior Shooter & Aspiring Shooter - positive
3. Aspiring shooters to be certified as such by the Min of Sports upon achieving MQS! Doesn't make any sense as that basically means that this category is the same as renown shots!! - regressive/ redundant
4. Depending on the discipline allowance for any handgun up to 9mm calibre (excepting 9x19mm), any rifle up to 8mm calibre, any shotgun up to 12 gauge. - a positive step as now there is no confusion regarding pistol shooters who wish to own/ import a .38 S&W/ other calibres, rifle shooters wishing to own/ import .303 & 7.62x51/ other calibres and shotgunners wishing to own/ import .410, 28, 20, 16 etc. gauge shotguns.
5. Total licenses for aspiring shooters not to exceed 4 - negative step as anyway rifle club members could own 3 + 1 .22 rifle, so no real benefit
Missing from this notification are the following which was announced at the NRAI meeting:
1. Aspiring shooters to be anyone who has participated in a state/ district level event
2. Aspiring shooters to be allowed a maximum of 5 licenses (depending on no. of disciplines one participates in) over & above their normal limit as citizens of India (3 or 3+1 as the case may be)
3. "Shall issue" order for arms licenses for Aspiring shooters, including automatic all India endorsement and automatic limit of 15,000 rounds of ammunition
4. NO MINIMUM score or achievement for aspiring shooters, simple participation would be enough.
5. Limit of licenses for renown shots to be increased to 15 over and above their normal limit as citizens of India
6. Ammunition limit for renown shots to be increased automatically to 50,000 rounds and automatic all India endorsement
This is as per what I recall from the presentation given by the NRAI president, thought it was too good to be true... unfortunately it was!
This notification seems to be one step forward and a couple of steps back, with lots of confusion and room for negative interpretation by the babus who will be tasked with its implementation.
Cheers!
Abhijeet