Concerning India's safety and security, further ensuring effective control, Rajya Sabha passes Arms Amendment Bill

New Delhi, December 11: A bill that seeks to provide maximum punishment of life imprisonment for manufacturing and carrying illegal arms in India was passed in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday after it was approved by the lower house of parliament, a day before.  The bill, under which a person is slated to be able to keep two licensed firearms as against three allowed at present, was moved by the Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy adding that the effective control over arms and ammunition was very important for safety and security in the country.

 

 

He said, "The bill seeks to bring in stringent punishment for people involved in the illegal manufacturing of arms while ensuring easier provisions for people with licensed arms. It is for national security that we have brought in this legislation. Illegal manufacturing of arms is going on in some places like the small scale industry. We are proposing stringent punishments for people involved in such acts". 

 

The legislation also seeks to enhance punishment for illegally possessing and making prohibited arms, besides other changes in the six-decade-old Arms Act. The Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019 further ensures that those using firearms in a rash or negligent manner in celebratory gunfire, endangering human life or personal safety of others, shall be punishable with imprisonment to two years or with fine which may extend to Rs 1 lakh or with both.

 

Ahead in the time, those who would own more than two firearms will have to deposit the third one with authorities or authorised gun dealers within 90 days for de-licensing once the amendment is approved by the Parliament. The minimum punishment under this section will be 14 years. Under the present law, the offence invites imprisonment of not less than seven years but may extend to life imprisonment mostly up to 14 years.