In India, when people speak about rifles, they also have questions: Are rifles permitted? What types are legal? What is the legal means of owning a rifle? The post describes rifles in India very simply. At the end, you will understand well what it entails to own or use rifles in India according to the law and what measures are required.
What Exactly Are Rifles?
A rifle is a weapon that is a gun with a lengthy barrel. The barrel is grooved (rifled) on the inside to ensure the bullets go round and true. Rifles are more precise than most other guns, especially for long-range shooting. When we discuss rifles in India, we are referring to sporting rifles, bolt-action rifles, military rifles and so on; however, not all of them can be used by civilians.
The Laws That Control Rifles in India
To understand rifles in India, you have to know the laws. The two main laws are:
- The Arms Act, 1959- This is the primary legislation that controls the acquisition, possession, manufacturing, sale, importation, exportation, and transportation of arms and ammunition.
- Arms Rules, 2016-These were rules developed under the Arms Act. They have specifications on licensing, who is allowed to receive a licence, which rifles/ammunition are permitted and which are forbidden.
These laws classify guns into such categories as Prohibited Bore (PB) and Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB). Certain calibres, types of ammunition, and features such as automatic firing are common in rifles which are in PB and are generally not accessible to the average civilians.
Types of Rifles in India
These are the usual varieties of rifles or weapons similar to rifles, to make it clear to you what rifles in India cover:
- Bolt-action rifles: Bolt-action rifles involve loading the gun one bullet at a time, and the action of the bolt is done manually. Very accurate. Used in hunting or sport. Some of the older bolt-action rifles are made in Ordnance Factories. Example: Ishapore 2A/2A1 rifle.
- Sporting rifles/hunting rifles: These are rifles that are used in shooting, sporting or hunting. They tend to be non-automatic, lower calibre and need to be licensed according to the NPB rules.
- Military / Assault rifles: These are rifles utilised by armies or paramilitary forces as a measure of defence and protection. The vast majority of them are PB and cannot be owned by civilians.
- Special rifles or long-range rifles: Sniper rifles, anti-material rifles, etc. Legally, these are nearly always limited.
Who Can Legally Own Rifles in India?
Not everyone. In India, to possess rifles was necessary to satisfy some requirements and pass through some processes:
- You have to seek a licence under the Arms Act and rules.
- The valid reason (self-defence, very seldom accepted), sport shooting, crop protection, etc., must be proven by you.
- You should be a minimum age (in most cases, 21 years old).
- You are not supposed to have a record of criminality. Should be psychologically fit and healthy.
- Police check-ups and background checks will be conducted. Neighbours or references of character can be sought.
How to Legally Get a Rifle in India
In order to own or use rifles in India in a legal manner, the following is the broad direction that you will follow:
- Decide reason: Decide which reason you want the rifle (sport shooting, hunting, protection in a distant area, etc.).
- Check local licence regulations: The licensing authority is usually the District Magistrate or other such official in your district. Get information on what forms and documentation are required.
- Status: Collect papers: ID evidence, address evidence, and in some cases, a medical fitness certificate, character certificate and reason evidence.
- Fill application: Fill a license application using the relevant Form (I with what type of rifle, calibre, etc.). May need photographs.
- Police check: Police check will be conducted. Mental health, check criminal record, sometimes.
- Wait decision: The licence will be issued in case of approval. In case of refusal, it may or may not provide the causes in a clear way (the law can refuse on the grounds of public safety / public peace).
- Purchase a rifle through a licensed holder: When you have the licence, you are required to purchase the rifle through a licensed dealer.
- Keep in the law: Renew license when necessary, keep rifle locked up, report changes (e.g. change of residence).
Rules & Restrictions
In India, due to the power of rifles, rifles have numerous restrictions:
- Rifles with some ammo or calibre could be banned. PB rifles do not normally have permission to be used, unless they can be granted.
- Air rifles/air weapons are governed: in case they surpass some threshold of muzzle energy or calibre, they require a licence under the regulations.
- Licence limits: the number of rifles that one is allowed to possess, the amount of ammunition, etc.
- Bringing rifles into the streets or firing outside designated areas can be carried out without a special authorisation.
Some Examples & History
It is better to know some practical examples of rifles in India:
- Ishapore 2A/2A1 rifle: It is an Indian bolt-action rifle produced by Rifle Factory Ishapore. Still used in limited roles.
- Amogh carbine: It is technically a carbine rather than a traditional rifle, but it shows India how to make small arms. This informs us of handcrafted weapons and those of the police, etc.
This has recently seen the air gun (air weaponry) subjected to tighter regulation under the Arms Rules, 2016.
Why Are Laws Strict Around Rifles in India?
The Indian situation has good reasons why rifles have become a tightly controlled item:
- Possibility of abuse: robbery, violence, mishaps.
- Smuggling of guns is a serious issue: Tough regulations assist in minimising that.
- Public safety: Rifles should not be left in the hands of individuals who have not been trained.
- The right to safety vs. the right to sport: The state needs to preserve the peace of the people, and people desire to have the right to protection and sport.
Conclusion
India does not have free availability of rifles. According to the law through the Arms Act 1959 and Arms Rules 2016, there are numerous checks and steps to be taken before an individual can legally acquire a rifle. You must take a proper license, pass the police, give good reasons, restrictions, and remain within the law, so as to have a rifle (not necessarily sporting, or hunting, or otherwise, but legally you must have a license), which you need or want. The question of the legality of a rifle will be determined by the type of rifle, calibre, use and your authorisation. Always check local rules. Violating the rule may attract fines, as well as imprisonment. It is only safe to be informed and careful if your mind thinks of owning rifles in India.
FAQs
PB rifles, the rifles with some features, calibre, ammunition, or automatic/semi-automatic firing capability, are restricted or banned to civilians. The ones that are permitted with fewer restrictions on the licence are called NPB rifles, and are not so powerful, easier, lower calibre and can be used in sport or hunting within the rules.
It is a question of the district and completeness of your documents. Once applied, it might take a few weeks to several months to verify by the police, background checks, etc.
It’s hard. Self-defence is considered a reason, although licensing authorities are stringent. You must show a strong case. The sport, hunting, and crop protection licences are issued in large numbers as opposed to pure self-defence.