Arms ActLEVEL 2

Short title, extent and commencement (Sec 1)

If the Central Government appoints a date via notification ➔ It shall come into force on that date across the whole of India.

Definitions and interpretation (Sec 2)

When defining weapons ➔ "arms" (Sec 2(1)(c)) and "firearms" (Sec 2(1)(e)) shall include manufacturing parts but strictly exclude toys and tools solely for domestic/agricultural use; "magistrate" (Sec 2(1)(ff)) means an Executive Magistrate.

Licence for acquisition and possession of firearms and ammunition (Sec 3)

If a person wants to acquire, possess, or carry firearms/ammunition ➔ They shall hold a licence and shall not acquire or possess more than [two firearm] at any time.

Licence for acquisition and possession of arms of specified description in certain cases (Sec 4)

If the Central Government deems it expedient in the public interest to regulate non-firearm arms ➔ It may notify an area, after which no person shall possess such arms without a licence.

Licence for manufacture, sale, etc., of arms and ammunition (Sec 5)

If a person manufactures, sells, transfers, or tests any firearm or prescribed arms ➔ They shall hold a licence, unless privately transferring lawfully possessed arms under strict notice conditions.

Licence for the shortening of guns or conversion of imitation firearms into firearms (Sec 6)

If a person shortens a barrel, converts an imitation firearm, or converts firearm categories ➔ They shall not do so unless they hold a licence in this behalf.

Prohibition of acquisition or possession, or of manufacture or sale of prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition (Sec 7)

If it concerns prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition ➔ No person shall acquire, possess, use, manufacture, or sell them unless specially authorised by the Central Government.

Prohibition of sale or transfer of firearms not bearing identification marks (Sec 8)

If a person possesses a firearm without ID marks or with tampered marks ➔ It shall be presumed, unless proved contrary, that they obliterated or altered that mark.

Prohibition of acquisition or possession by, or of sale or transfer to, young persons and certain other persons of firearms, etc. (Sec 9)

If a person is under 21, convicted of a violent crime, or under a CrPC Chapter VIII bond ➔ No person shall acquire/possess firearms, nor shall anyone knowingly sell or transfer to them.

Licence for import and export of arms, etc. (Sec 10)

If a person brings into or takes out of India any arms/ammunition ➔ They shall hold a licence, though bona fide tourists may bring reasonable quantities for sport.

Power to prohibit import or export of arms, etc. (Sec 11)

If the Central Government specifies classes of arms via notification ➔ It may prohibit the bringing into, or the taking out of, India of those arms.

Power to restrict or prohibit transport of arms (Sec 12)

If the Central Government issues a notification ➔ It may direct that no person shall transport arms over India without a licence, or it may prohibit such transport altogether.