GURUGRAM: Police have been flooded with applications for a fresh arms licence after the restriction of two weapons on a single licence came into effect last week. Most of the people who had purchased multiple weapons on a single licence have now applied for another licence in the name of a family member so they can keep the additional weapons within the family.
According to police records, Gurugramhas around 6,685 licence holders, out of which 230 have more than two weapons. The Union home ministry recently amended the Arms Act, according to which maximum two firearms can be issued on one licence. Following the amendment, Gurugram police had directed all licensees to surrender or sell their additional weapons by December 13.
The development triggered a spurt in applications for licences, as licensees attempted to keep weapons within the family. The order led to an increase in supply in the arms market, leading to a crash in prices.
“We had invested a lot in weapons, but gun houses are now offering a fraction of that amount for the additional weapon. So, we have applied for an additional licence in order to keep weapons in the family,” said a licensee who has three weapons on a single licence.
Joint commissioner of Gurugram police Kulwinder Singh said they have been flooded with the application for fresh gun licences. “Everyone is giving the same reason, that they are not getting a reasonable price for their gun and need an additional licence to keep the weapon,” Singh said.
Sources said licensees are also approaching politicians and bureaucrats to put pressure on police to issue additional licences. “The new changes have created additional challenges for police in issuing new licences. This will lead to an increase in the number of licences,” a senior police officer said.