Cabinet Approved Amendment to Arms Act

The Indian Union Cabinet approved the amendment of Arms Act 1959 on 15 July 2010. The Cabinet had also approved the introduction of the Arms Amendment Bill 2010 in the Parliament. The Union Cabinet approved the amendment of provisions under Section 13 of the Arms Act, 1959 which emphasized on the need to specify a period of sixty days for the purpose of police report required under sub-section (2) of section 13 of the Act. The amendment provides for the removal of provision to sub-section (2A) of section 13 of the Act. The proposed amendments would block chances of issuing arms licences to persons whose antecedents are not transparent or in good faith. Also the amendment would ensure receipt of police verification report within a period of sixty days. The licensing authority would be obliged to take into consideration the report of the police authorities before grant of an arms licence in each case. Under Section 3 of the Arms Act, 1959, it has been made essential to obtain an arms license by a person for acquisition, possession or carrying any firearms or ammunition from a competent licensing authority by any person.