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The Popularity Of NPB Weapons In India & Need to Amend Gun Laws

A .22 caliber firearm, under the Arms Act 1959, is fully legal in India specially for public use. However, public possession is allowed only if the gun is declared as a non-prohibited bore or NPB weapon. .22 rifles in India can be bought or possessed by individuals only if they have a valid license allowing them to carry a firearm.

What are the basic requirements for getting a gun license in India?

  • A person has to be minimum 21 years old
  • He should not have done any criminal offense 
  • He should not have served jail term as per rule under CRPC
  • A person cannot possess more than a total exceeding 3 firearms 
  • A person cannot carry firearms or guns during processions 
  • A person cannot possess guns with the aim of collecting them 

The Rules for Possession of Air Guns 

Air guns having a muzzle energy that is under 20 joules plus a bore diameter not more than 0.177 inches are basically considered as toys and do not need a license. On the other hand, air guns with a bore diameter of more than 0.177 inches and a muzzle energy having 20 joules does require an arms license. 

The Indian Arms Act Rules & Regulations 

The Arms Act 1959 clearly states that all firearms are classified into two segments, one having prohibited bore and another having non-prohibited bore. While the bore means the diameter of the bullet, any civilian in India can possess or apply for a license to buy a NPB weapon. For example, .22 rifles in India fall under the non-prohibited bore category weapons.  

Similarly, both central and state authorities can issue gun licenses for the NPB category guns. The central government has the authority to issue gun licenses for prohibited bore category guns to specific groups of civilians. PBs are mostly provided to defense officials, to people located in terrorist-hit areas, or to civilians facing danger and life-threats. As a legal citizen of India, you can apply for a gun license in India to possess and use all kinds of weapons like pistols, revolvers, shotguns, and rifles. 

The Urgent Need for Enforcement & Reforms 

Criminal activities in India are rising as most criminals use guns or firearms that are unlicensed and country-made crude weapons. India has strict gun laws and is known to hold the status as possessing the 2nd largest civilian firearms on earth. According to the 2019 statistics, almost 90% of crimes are done involving the use of unlicensed firearms that are very hard to trace and mostly identified by their country-made looks. 

Use of weapons like .22 rifles in India can fall into wrong hands and be used to breed violence and corruption in the country. Unregulated use of firearms by unauthorized people can have drastic consequences. Those dealing in illegal weapon trading are also said to convert air guns into actual guns. According to 2018 reports, it was suspected that many Indian air guns were being converted into powerful .22 caliber firearms

During the investigation of crimes in the forensic department, it is extremely difficult to know the range of gun wounds and prepare a report based on the nature of injury due to a crude country-made firearm. One of the reasons for this can be due to the fact that gun laws in our country are very ancient and stringent, and there is a pressing need for current amendment to curb this growing menace of illegal arms trade in India. 

 

About .22 Caliber Rifle 

Indian companies have designed indigenous .22 rifles after extensive research and development. Firearms including the prestigious .22 rifle in India called the Corbett is an excellent weapon that can be used at recreation grounds and target shooting practice. It has been made from premium quality materials such as import-quality aircraft grade special aluminum, superior carbon, and low-alloy steel. It has been specifically designed as a fine firearm with fantastic properties including high ductility, solid strength, toughness, fatigue and creep resistance, and more. 

The corbett .22 rifle in India, fully made in India, can handle normal and top velocity ammunition. Owning such a majestic rifle can help you retain it for years together for target practice and for other meaningful purposes.