Sources said Delhi Police received a list from the Union home ministry detailing individuals who owned three or more licensed firearms (Represenattive image)NEW DELHI: As many as 849 firearms have been deposited by licensees with Delhi Police after the amendment in the Arms Act that prohibits possession of more than two personal weapons. According to police, after Section 3 of the Arms Act was amended to limit the number of firearms that an individual can possess to two, people were asked to deposit any weapon beyond the permitted number at the area police station. Before the amendment, a person could hold three weapons on a single gun licence. Sources said Delhi Police received a list from the Union home ministry detailing individuals who owned three or more licensed firearms. The cops were directed to ensure that these licensees deposited the additional weapons at the police station. Dr O P Mishra, joint commissioner of police (licensing) said all licensees with more than two firearms were informed in writing about the surrender of additional weapons. When many failed to comply, the licensing unit conducted a special drive in July last year. “Special teams began regularly following up with the licensees and this resulted in the depositing of 849 firearms of various kinds till now,” said Mishra. Police said most of the weapons were issued to residents of south Delhi. South police district residents surrendered 221 weapons, followed by southeast with 111, New Delhi 81, east 39, central 24, Dwarka 19 and the remaining nine districts, 354 weapons. Sources disclosed that police found instances where the licence holder had died and the family members had no idea about weapons. “The kin were surprised when we informed them about the firearms,” a source said. According to the cops, before granting an arms licence, the applicant has to go through a thorough scrutiny to check the genuineness of the need and threat to his or her life. The joint commissioner of police (licensing) interviews all the applicants. According to Delhi Police, last year, 98 arms licences were issued and 9,600 were renewed, while 170 arms licenses were cancelled. Earlier this year, Delhi Police introduced a smartcard arms licence. The licensing unit decided to replace the existing bulky licence booklet with the digitalised card, which is thin and portable like a debit or credit card. The smartcard arms licence has been integrated with the e-Beat book through the Shastra mobile application and this helps the cops in real-time checking of the licences at fixed and mobile pickets, airports, border check-posts, clubs, hotels, discotheques, social gatherings and at marriage functions. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAFacebookTwitterInstagramKOO APPYOUTUBE
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-849-extra-firearms-handed-in-after-change-in-arms-act/articleshow/93399457.cms
