All employees of private security agencies possessing guns with licences issued from authorities outside the Capital have been directed to get their weapons registered with the licensing authority of the Delhi Police within 30 days, failing which strict action would be taken against them.
A circular issued by licensing branch Joint Commissioner of Police Shankar Dash said registration of the weapons was mandatory under section 62(3) of the Arms Rules. It said, “There is a mistaken notion that if the licenses have all-India validity, they need not comply with the above provision. Hence, there is no scope for any doubt or misgiving on this issue.”
The circular made it clear if any employee having any weapon with all-India permit fails to get himself registered with the Delhi Police, its liability will be on his employer only. “Employees with arms must be registered with the Delhi Police promptly failing which the liability will be of the employer.”
The database of the city Government’s Home Department, which is responsible for issuing licenses to the private security agencies, suggested that there are about 70,000 security guards in Delhi. But there is no clear cut data to suggest how many of these guards possess licensed weapons.
It may be noted that the Delhi Police is investigating cases of arms licences procured by Delhiites from other States especially Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir. The probe being carried out by the Special Cell has revealed that hundreds of arms licences were obtained from Nagaland and arms were purchased on that basis. “We are scanning all such licences that are in possession of people of the city but are from other states. Registration of such licences with the Delhi Police would help the law enforcing agencies I verifying the antecedents of the owners”, a senior police official said.
Statistics showed there are about 60,000 licensed weapons in the national Capital. With the growing incidents of crime, more and more people are reportedly applying for an arms license in Delhi.
A senior police officer said one can purchase a weapon only after getting the license from the city police. When a person is authorised to buy the weapon, s/he is also given a time limit to purchase it. If one is unable to purchase it within a stipulated time period, his or her license is not reviewed.
One needs to pay just Rs 200 for pistols and revolvers to Rs 120 for a rifle. Application fee for an air rifle or .22 bore rifle is Rs 80 while it is a dismal Rs 80 muzzle loading guns, daggers, bayonets, swords and spears.