Jammu’s famed gun industry on wane?

JAMMU: Once holding a position of pride on whole of north India, the gun making industry of Jammu may be on the wane because of laid-back policy of the government, ongoing probes and preference for small weapons.

The designated authorities have been issuing the majority of gun licenses for pistol or revolver (.32 bore) while most of the guns manufactured here are the long barrel guns (.12 bore). While Jammu and Kashmir has attained notoriety for issuing large number of gun licences but it is of no benefit to the local industry which doesn’t deal much into pistols and revolvers.

Accusing the designated gun licensing authorities, the local manufacturers are calling for fresh and comprehensive policy. Fresh licenses are currently under ban since 2018 following reports of alleged nexus between arms dealers and officials.

“We have faced huge financial loss and on verge of closure due to issuance of license of pistol or revolver (.32 bore). Moreover, the license of pistol or revolver is issued against the norms,” alleged the members of long barrel gun manufactures.

“District Magistrates in contravention of the Chapter III section 13 sub section 3(b) of the arms act 1959 issued licenses of only pistols or revolver for their ulterior motive and issued the license of long barrel guns, which are known defense purposes,” the members said.

“The pistol or revolver (.32 bore gun) are offensive and can breach security easily while the long barrel gun (.12 bore) is known for defensive purpose. In this regard, whenever government revoke ban on the issuance of gun license, home department itself issue the license of pistol or revolver after proper verification and Deputy Commissioners will allowed to issue the license long barrel gun,” they said.

“Ironically, District Magistrates of our state has issued licenses of revolver or pistol (.32 bore) by interpreting the Chapter III section 13 sub section 3(b) of the arms act 1959 which states that if the licensing authorities is satisfied that the person by whom the license is required has good reason for obtaining the same,” they said.

“Whereas the Section 13 sub section (3)(a) clearly states that for self protection , crop protection or even sports the licensee to be granted is smooth bore gun having barrel of not less than twelve inch in length,” they said

On July 16th, 2018, the Jammu & Kashmir Government ordered a blanket ban on issuance of fresh arms licenses to individuals to check growing nexus between arms dealers and bureaucrats.

The State Home department after receiving reports from different investigating agencies and inputs from the Union Home Ministry has also ordered an inquiry by the State Vigilance Organization.

The State Home department has identified eight districts namely Kishtwar, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi and Udhampur in Jammu region; Kupwara and Ganderbal in Kashmir and Leh in ladakh region where these arms licenses were issued indiscriminately.

As per reports, the highest numbers of 4377 licenses were issued in Udhampur followed by kishtwar where 2838 licenses were issued in 2017. In Rajouri 2153 arms licenses were issued in 2017 and 1203 licenses were issued in leh district. Similarly 1015 licenses were issued in Ramban.

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