Gun License

Primarily, we need to understand what we can call a license. According to Wikipedia, a License means permission to do something, especially formal permission from a government or other authority. This term often refers to a kind of proof of that permission, such as a card or certificate. In simple words, the license is a kind of written permission that allows someone to use, carry or sell something on their own. In India, guns are very popular among people and people like to have or carry a firearm (gun) with themselves. But having a firearm is not that simple in India and trading firearms is much more complex and difficult.

For that, he or she must have a gun license. A Gun license is a kind of permission (permit) that is issued by the government of India or other the state government (Basically police authorities) who allows a certain permit (license) to buy / own / possess or carry a gun (firearm) with some restriction and specific conditions regarding completion of a firearm and storage of that firearm. The authorities will also inspect the background of the applicant who wants to get a gun license. So basically, if someone wants to have a firearm (gun) license in India then he or she may have to go through a difficult and complex process. In India, firearms are strictly regulated by the law. All the provisions regarding sale, manufacture, possession, acquisition, import-export & transport of arms and ammunition are comes under the ARMS ACT 1959 The ARMS ACT 1959 of the Indian parliament with the arms rules 1962.

According to the ARMS ACT 1959, the firearm (gun) licenses are divided into two different parts.

• Prohibited Bore (PB) -   pistols (9 mm) and handguns of caliber 0.38, 0.455, and caliber 0.303 are comes in the segment of prohibited bores weapons.  Fully automatic, semi-automatic firearms, and some other specified types of weapons are included in the prohibited bore weapons in India. These prohibited bore weapons can only be issued by the central government for some specific organizations like the Indian army or police forces.
• Non-prohibited bore (NPB) – All non-automatic or bolt action type firearms (guns) are included in non-prohibited bore weapons. Handguns and small pistols of caliber 0.35, 0.32, 0.22, and 0.380 fall into the category of non-prohibited weapons.

Applicant of the firearm (gun) gun license must have the Citizens of India and Must Show Identification Documents (passport or Aadhar card etc.) While Applying for a Firearm License.

The minimum age of a gun license applicant is 18 years and above. (In the Case Of Shooting Sports practice then the minimum age would be 16)

The Purposes For Which a Gun License Could Be Granted Are Limited, these purposes are:                    

• Personal security or self-defense: personal self-defense is one of the most common reasons for obtaining a gun –license in India nowadays. But, the applicant needs to establish some kind of strong reason for self-defense or some kind of specific threat over his or her life. He or she should have an FIR lodged prior to the application for a license.
• Sports Training for shooting: If a full-time sports person specifically for shooting a player wants to get a license under this category, then he or she needs to be a national-level player of shooting sport. He will only get the gun license for only sports purposes.
• Crop Protection: This major category of gun license is also specifically mentioned in the arms act 1959.
• Security Agencies: Though this also comes under the threat to life and property rules regarding this are stricter than the first category and the guns could be used for limited purposes only.
• Training in Gun-handling: In the armed forces, it is mandatory for every person to undergo training which involves basic training in basic arms & ammunition practices, safe handling, and carrying procedures, carrying of firearms and storage of firearms and weapons, and the transportation of the weapons, before presenting their application.
• Exception- An Overseas Citizen of India can apply for a gun license in India if he gives proof of his permanent place of residence & satisfies the authoritiy's reason for obtaining a license.

According to the Rule 11 of the Arms Rules, 2016 these are the following documents have to be submitted specifically with the application:–

• Applicant has to submit two passport-size copies of the latest photograph (in white background). These photographs have to be submitted at the time of appointment.
• He or she has to submit their birth certificate as proof of date of birth.
• Identification proof – Aadhar Card or in case the applicant does not have Aadhar Card, an affidavit has to be submitted in the form of declaration and also along with an alternative identification proof which may include ─ Passport; Voter Identification Card, PAN Card or Identity Card issued to the employees.
• Proof of residence will be required in case the applicant does not possess Aadhar Card or Passport. These residence proof could be Election Card, Electricity Bill, Landline Telephone Bill, Rent Deed or Lease Deed, or Property owner’s documents and it could be any other document to the satisfaction of the licensing authority); 
• Firearm training certificate in Form S-1 (whenever made applicable by the Central Government by passing a general or special order);
• Safe use and storage of firearms undertaken in Form S-2 
• Self-attested copies of the educational and professional qualification certificates from professional category applicants as specified in clause (a) of sub-rule (3) of rule 12 of the Arms Rules, 2016. 
• Medical certificates about mental health and physical fitness in Form S-3.
• In case of protection for the destruction of wild animals which do injury to human beings or cattle and damage to crops, permit from the authority empowered under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972).

• Primarily, applicants have to apply for an application in the office of the district superintendent of the police of your state or the deputy commissioner of the district. You can have the application form on the site of the Indian ordinance factory (IOF).
• After the submission of the application to the department of Police, the police department will go to check the background of the applicant delicately. 
• In case, the applicant is found clean in the investigation of his background by police then the police department will send the investigation reports to both the crime branch and the national crime record bureau for further investigation.
• The report will be sent to the respective commissioner of Police from both the crime branch and the national crime record bureau. If the commissioner or district superintendent found that report satisfactory and the applicant is considered then the license will be granted.
• Once the applicant got his gun license, the applicant has to contact some dealer for the procurement of the gun (firearm). For this, the license holders will have to make a pre-order to get the gun (firearm) from some licensed weapon shop of their choice.
• While buying the firearm (gun), the license holder should also fill out the application form which is known as the form of NDAL (National Database on Arms License) as well. And he or she has to submit that form to the Arms Act Department for uploading in the National Database and they will generate a Unique ID for their weapon (gun). The license holders can also fill out that NDAL application form online.

Non-objection Certificate

Certificate (in case the gun license is valid across India also, there's no need to give with NOC Instrument):

• There's also a need for a transport license of the place where the plant is located. 
• One cannot issue letters just on the base of the authorities but, the delivery can be permitted to the retainer only on the behalf of the client. Now, this also requires some fresh information including the name of the retainer along with the passport size picture and an authority letter inked by the retainer himself.