THE ARMS ACT, 1959
ACT NO. 54 OF 1959
[23rd December, 1959.]
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to arms and
ammunition.
CHAP
PRELIMINARY
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1.
Short title, extent and commencement.
1. Short title, extent and commencement.- (1) This Act may be
called the Arms Act, 1959.
(2) It extends to the whole of India.
(3) It shall come into force on such date 1* as the Central
Government may, by notification in the Official Gezette, appoint.
2.
Definition and interpretation.
2. Definition and interpretation.- (1) In this Act, unless the
context otherwise requires,--
(a) "acquisition", with its grammatical variations and
cognate expressions, includes hiring, borrowing, or
accepting as a gift;
(b) "ammunition" means ammunition for any firearm, and
includes--
(i) rockets, bombs, grenades, shells [and
other missiles] 2*
(ii) articles, designed for torpedo service
and submarine mining,
(iii) other articles containing, or designed
or adapted to contain, explosive, fulminating or
fissionable material or noxious liquid, gas or
other such thing, whether capable of use with
firearms or not,
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1. 1st October, 1962, vide Notification No. G.S.R. 992, dated 13-7-
1962, see Gazette of India, Pt. II, Sec. 3(i), p. 1092.
This Act has been extended to--
Goa, Daman and Diu with modifications by Reg. 12 of 1962, s. 3
and Sch.; and comes into force in Pondicherry vide Reg. 7 of
1963, s.
3 and Sch. I (w.e.f. 1-10-1963);
and brought into force in Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Reg. 6 of
1963, s. 2 and Sch. I (w.e.f. 1-7-1965);
Sikim vide Notification No. G.S.R. 461 (E), dated 21-7-1976
(w.e.f. 1-8-1976).
2. Subs. by Act 42 of 1988, s. 2, for " and other like missiles"
(w.e.f. 27-5-1988).
34
(iv) charges for firearms and accessories for
such charges,
(v) fuses and friction tubes,
(vi) parts of, and machinery for
manufacturing ammunition, and
(vii) such ingredients of ammunition as the
Central Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, specify in this behalf;
(c) "arms" means articles of any description designed or
adapted as weapons for offence or defence, and includes
firearms, sharpedged and other deadly weapons, and
parts of, and machinery for manufacturing, arms, but
does not include articles designed solely for domestic
or agricultural uses such as a lathi or an ordinary
walking stick and weapons incapable of being used
otherwise than as toys or of being converted into
serviceable weapons;
1*[(d) "district magistrate", in relation to any area for
which a Commissioner of Police has been appointed,
means the Commissioner of Police thereof and includes
any such Deputy Commissioner of Police, exercising
jurisdiction over the whole or any part of such area,
as may be specified by the State Government in this
behalf in relation to such area or part;]
(e) "firearms" means arms of any description designed or
adapted to discharge a projectile or projectiles of any
kind by the action of any explosive or other forms of
energy, and includes--
(i) artillery, hand-grenades, riot-pistols or
weapons of any kind designed or adapted for the
discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other such
thing,
(ii) accessories for any such firearm
designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash
caused by the firing thereof,
(iii) parts of, and machinery for
manufacturing, firearms, and
(iv) carriages, platforms and appliances for
mounting, transporting and serving artillery.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Subs. by Act 55 of 1971, s. 2, for the former cl. (d) (w.e.f. 13-
12-1971).
34A
(f) "licensing authority" means an officer or authority
empowered to grant or renew licences under rules made
under this Act, and includes the Government;
1*[(ff) "magistrate" means an Executive Magistrate under the
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974);]
(g) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this
Act,
(h) "prohibited ammunition" means any ammunition containing
or designed or adapted to contain, any noxious liquid,
gas or other such thing, and includes rockets, bombs,
grenades, shells, 2*[missiles] articles designed for
torpedo service and submarine mining and such other
articles as the Central Government may, by notification
in the Official Gazette, specify to be prohibited
ammunition;
(i) "prohibited arms" means--
(i) firearms so designed or adapted that, if
pressure is applied to the trigger, missiles
continue to be dis-
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Ins. by Act 25 of 1983, s. 2 (w.e.f. 22-6-1983).
2. Ins. by Act 42 of 1988, s. 2 (w.e.f. 27-5-1988).
35
charged until pressure is removed from the trigger
or the magazine containing the missiles is empty,
or
(ii) weapons of any description designed or
adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid,
gas or other such thing,
and includes artillery, anti-aircraft and anti-tank firearms and such
other arms as the Central Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, specify to be prohibited arms;
(j) "public servant" has the same meaning as in section 21
of the Indian Penal Code; (45 of 1860.)
(k) "transfer", with its grammatical variations and cognate
expressions, includes letting on hire, lending, giving
and parting with possession.
(2) For the purposes of this Act, the length of the barrel of a
firearm shall be measured from the muzzle to the point at which the
charge is exploded on firing.
(3) Any reference in this Act to any law which is not in force in
any area shall, in relation to that area, be construed as a reference
to the corresponding law, if any, in force in that area.
(4) Any reference in this Act to any officer or authority shall,
in relation to any area in which there is no officer or authority with
the same designation, be construed as a reference to such officer or
authority as may be specified by the Central Government by
notification in the Official Gazette.
CHAP
ACQUISITION, POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE, SALE, IMPORT, EXPORT
ANDTRANSPORT
OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION
CHAPTER II
ACQUISITION, POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE, SALE, IMPORT, EXPORT AND
TRANSPORT OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION
3.
Licence for acquisition and possession of fire-arms and ammunition.
3. Licence for acquisition and possession of fire-arms and
ammunition.-1*[(1) No person shall acquire, have in his possession, or
carry any firearm or ammunition unless he holds in this behalf a
licence issued in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the
rules made thereunder:
Provided that a person may, without himself holding a licence,
carry any firearm or ammunition in the presence, or under the written
authority, of the holder of the licence for repair or for renewal of
the licence or for use by such holder.
2*[(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no
person, other than a person referred to in sub-section (3), shall
acquire, have in his possession or carry, at any time, more than three
firearms:
Provided that a person who has in his possession more firearms
than three at the commencement of the Arms (Amendment) Act, 1983, may
retain with him any three of such firearms and shall deposit, within
ninety days from such commencement, the remaining firearms with the
officer in charge of the nearest police station or, subject to the
conditions prescribed for the purposes of sub-section (1) of section
21, with a licensed dealer or, where such person is a member of the
armed forces of the Union, in a unit armoury referred to in that sub-
section.
(3) Nothing contained in sub-section (2) shall apply to any
dealer in firearms or to any member of a rifle club or rifle
association licensed or recognised by the Central Government using a
point 22 bore rifle or an air rifle for target practice.
(4) The provisions of sub-sections (2) to (6) (both inclusive) of
section 21 shall apply in relation to any deposit of firearms under
the proviso to sub-section (2) as they apply in relation to the
deposit of any arm or ammunition under sub-section (1) of that
section."]
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1. S. 3 renumbered as sub-section (1) by Act 25 of 1983, s. 3
(w.e.f.
22-6-83).
2. Ins. by s. 3, ibid. (w.e.f. 22-6-1983).
36
4.
Licence for acquisition and possession of arms of
specifieddescription in certain cases.
4. Licence for acquisition and possession of arms of specified
description in certain cases.- If the Central Government is of opinion
that having regard to the circumstances prevailing in any area it is
necessary or expedient in the public interest that the acquisition,
possession or carrying of arms other than firearms should also be
regulated, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct
that this section shall apply to the area specified in the
notification, and thereupon no person shall acquire, have in his
possession or carry in that area arms of such class or description as
may be specified in that notification unless he holds in this behalf a
licence issued in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the
rules made thereunder.
5.
Licence for manufacture, sale, etc., of arms and ammunition.
5. Licence for manufacture, sale, etc., of arms and ammunition.
1*[(1)] No person shall--
(a) 2*[use, manufacture] sell, transfer, convert, repair,
test or prove, or
(b) expose or offer for sale or transfer or have in his
possession for sale, transfer, conversion, repair, test
or proof,
any firearm or any other arms of such class or description as may be
prescribed or any ammunition, unless he holds in this behalf a licence
issued in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules
made thereunder:
3* * * * *
4*[(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) a
person may, without holding a licence in this behalf, sell or transfer
any arms or ammunition which he lawfully possesses for his own private
use to another person who is entitled by virtue of this Act or any
other law for the time being in force to have, or is not prohibited by
this Act or such other law from having in his possession such arms or
ammunition:
Provided that no firearm or ammunition in respect of which a
licence is required under section 3 and no arms in respect of which a
licence is required under section 4 shall be so sold or transferred by
any person unless--
(a) he has informed in writing the district magistrate
having jurisdiction or the officer in charge of the nearest
police station of his intention to sell or transfer such
firearms, ammunition or other arms and the name and address of
the person to whom he intends to sell or transfer such firearms,
ammunition or the other arms, and
(b) a period of not less than forty-five days has expired
after the giving of such information.]
6.
Licence for the shortening of guns or conversion of imitation
firearmsinto
firearms.
6. Licence for the shortening of guns or conversion of imitation
firearms into firearms.- No person shall shorten the barrel of a
firearm or convert an imitation firearm into a firearm unless he holds
in this behalf a licence issued in accordance with the provisions of
this Act and the rules made thereunder.
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1. S. 5 renumbered as sub-section (1) by Act 25 of 1983, s. 4
(w.e.f.
22-6-1983).
2. Subs. by Act 42 of 1988, s. 3, for "manufaacture" (w.e.f.
27-5-1988).
3. The proviso omitted by Act 25 of 1983, s. 4 (w.e.f. 22-6-83).
4. Ins. by s.4, ibid. (w.e.f. 22-6-1983).
37
Explanation.--In this section, the expression "imitation firearm"
means anything which has the appearance of being a firearm, whether it
is capable of discharging any shot, bullet or other missile or not.
7.
Prohibition of acquisition or possession, or of manufacture or sale,of
prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition.
7. Prohibition of acquisition or possession, or of manufacture or
sale, of prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition. No person shall--
(a) acquire, have in his possession or carry; or
(b) 2*[use, manufacture] sell, transfer, convert, repair,
test or prove; or
(c) expose or offer for sale or transfer or have in his
possession for sale, transfer, conversion, repair, test
or proof;
any prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition unless he has been
specially authorised by the Central Government in this behalf.
8.
Prohibition of sale or transfer of firearms not bearing
identificationmarks.
8. Prohibition of sale or transfer of firearms not bearing
identification marks.-(1) No person shall obliterate, remove, alter or
forge any name, number or other identification mark stamped or
otherwise shown on a firearm.
(2) No person shall sell or transfer any firearm which does not
bear the name of the maker, manufacturer's number or other
identification mark stamped or otherwise shown thereon in a manner
approved by the Central Government.
(3) Whenever any person has in his possession any firearm without
such name, number or other identification mark or on which such name,
number or other identification mark has been obliterated, removed,
altered or forged, it shall be presumed unless the contrary is proved,
that he has obliterated, removed, altered or forged that name, number
or other identification mark:
Provided that in relation to a person who has in his possession
at the commencement of this Act any firearm without such name, number
or other identification mark stamped or otherwise shown thereon, the
provisions of this sub-section shall not take effect until after the
expiration of one year from such commencement.
9.
Prohibition of acquisition or possession by, or of sale or transferto,
young
persons and certain other persons of firearms, etc.
9. Prohibition of acquisition or possession by, or of sale or
transfer to, young persons and certain other persons of firearms,
etc.-
(1) Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Act,-
-
(a) no person,--
(i) who has not completed the age of 2*[twenty-one
years], or
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1. Subs. by Act 42 of 1988, s. 4, for "maanufacture" (w.e.f.
27-5-1988).
2. Subs. by Act 25 of 1983, s. 5, for "seventeen yeay" (w.e.f.
22-6-1983).
38
(ii) who has been sentenced on conviction of any
offence involving violence or moral turpitude to
imprisonment for 1*[any term], at any time during
a period of five years after the expiration of the
sentence, or
(iii) who has been ordered to execute under Chapter
VIII of the 1*[Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
(2 of 1974),] a bond for keeping the peace or for
good behaviour, at any time during the term of
the bond,
shall acquire, have in his possession or carry any firearm or
ammunition;
(b) no person shall sell or transfer any firearm or
ammunition to, or convert, repair, test or prove any
firearm or ammunition for, any other person whom he
knows, or has reason to believe--
(i) to be prohibited under clause (a) from acquiring,
having in his possession or carrying any firearm
or ammunition, or
(ii) to be of unsound mind at the time of such sale or
transfer, or such conversion, repair, test or
proof.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in sub-clause (i) of clause (a) of
sub-section (1), a person who has attained the prescribed age-limit
may use under prescribed conditions such firearms as may be prescribed
in the course of his training in the use of such firearms:
Provided that different age-limits may be prescribed in relation
to different types of firearms.
10.
Licence for import and export of arms, etc.
10. Licence for import and export of arms, etc.-(1) No person
shall bring into, or take out of, India by sea, land or air any arms
or ammunition unless he holds in this behalf a licence issued in
accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made
thereunder:
Provided that--
(a) a person who is entitled by virtue of this Act or any
other law for the time being in force to have, or is
not prohibited by this Act or such other law from
having, in his possession any arms or ammunition, may
without a licence in this behalf bring into, or take
out of, India
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1. Subs. by Act 25 of 1983, s. 5, for certain words (w.e.f.
22-6-1983).
39
such arms or ammunition in reasonable quantities for
his own private use;
(b) a person being a bona fide tourist belonging to any such
country as the Central Government may, by notification
in the Official Gazette, specify, who is not prohibited
by the laws of that country from having in his
possession any arms or ammunition, may, without a
licence under this section but in accordance with such
conditions as may be prescribed, bring with him into
India arms and ammunition in reasonable quantities for
use by him for purposes only of sport and for no other
purpose;
Explanation.--For purposes of clause (b) of this
proviso, the word "tourist" means a person who not being a
citizen of India visits India for a period not exceeding six
months with no other object than recreation, sight-seeing,
or participation in a representative capacity in meetings
convened by the Central Government or in international
conferences, associations or other bodies.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the proviso to sub-
section (1), where the collector of customs or any other officer
empowered by the Central Government in this behalf has any doubt as to
the applicability of clause (a) or clause (b) of that proviso to any
person who claims that such clause is applicable to him, or as to the
reasonableness of the quantities of arms or ammunition in the
possession of any person referred to in such clause, or as to the use
to which such arms or ammunition may be put by such person, may detain
the arms or ammunition in the possession of such person until he
receives the orders of the Central Government in relation thereto.
(3) Arms and ammunition taken from one part of India to another
by sea or air or across any intervening territory not forming part of
India, are taken out of, and brought into, India within the meaning of
this section.
11.
Power to prohibit import or export of arms, etc.
11. Power to prohibit import or export of arms, etc.- The Central
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, prohibit the
bringing into, or the taking out of, India, arms or ammunition of such
classes and descriptions as may be specified in the notification.
40
12.
Power to restrict or prohibit transport of arms.
12. Power to restrict or prohibit transport of arms.- (1) The
Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,--
(a) direct that no person shall transport over India or any
part thereof arms or ammunition of such classes and
descriptions as may be specified in the notification
unless he holds in this behalf a licence issued in
accordance with the provisions of this Act and the
rules made there-under; or
(b) prohibit such transport altogether.
(2) Arms or ammunition trans-shipped at a seaport or an airport
in India are transported within the meaning of this section.
CHAP
PROVISIONS RELATING TO LICENCES
CHAPTER III
PROVISIONS RELATING TO LICENCES
13.
Grant of licences.
13. Grant of licences.- (1) An application for the grant of a
licence under Chapter II shall be made to the licensing authority and
shall be in such form, contain such particulars and be accompanied by
such fee, if any, as may be prescribed.
1*[(2) On receipt of an application, the licensing authority
shall call for the report of the officer in charge of the nearest
police station on that application, and such officer shall send his
report within the prescribed time.
(2A) The licensing authority, after such inquiry, if any, as it
may consider necessary, and after considering the report received
under sub-section (2), shall, subject to the other provisions of this
Chapter, by order in writing either grant the licence or refuse to
grant the same:
Provided that where the officer in charge of the nearest police
station does not send his report on the application within the
prescribed time, the licensing authority may, if it deems fit, make
such order, after the expiry of the prescribed time, without further
waiting for that report.]
(3) The licensing authority shall grant--
(a) a licence under section 3 where the licence is required-
-
(i) by a citizen of India in respect of a
smooth bore gun having a barrel of not less than
twenty inches in length to be used for protection
or sport or in respect of a muzzle loading gun to
be used for bona fide crop protection:
Provided that where having regard to the
circumstances of any case, the licensing authority
is satisfied that a muzzle loading gun will not be
sufficient for crop protection, the licensing
authority may grant a licence in respect of any
other smooth bore gun as aforesaid for such
protection, or
(ii) in respect of a point 22 bore rifle or
an air rifle to be used for target practice by a
member of a rifle
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Subs. by Act 25 of 1983, s. 6, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f.
22-6-1983).
41
club or rifle association licensed or recognised
by the Central Government;
(b) a licence under section 3 in any other case or a licence
under section 4, section 5, section 6, section 10 or
section 12, if the licensing authority is satisfied
that the person by whom the licence is required has a
good reason for obtaining the same.
14.
Refusal of licences.
14. Refusal of licences.-(1) Notwithstanding anything in section
13, the licensing authority shall refuse to grant--
(a) a licence under section 3, section 4 or section 5 where
such licence is required in respect of any prohibited
arms or prohibited ammunition;
(b) a licence in any other case under Chapter II,--
(i) where such licence is required by a person whom the
licensing authority has reason to believe--
(1) to be prohibited by this Act or by any other law for the
time being in force from acquiring, having in his
possession or carrying any arms or ammunition, or
(2) to be of unsound mind, or
(3) to be for any reason unfit for a licence under this Act;
or
(ii) where the licensing authority deems it necessary for
the security of the public peace or for public safety
to refuse to grant such licence.
(2) The licensing authority shall not refuse to grant any licence
to any person merely on the ground that such person does not own or
possess sufficient property.
(3) Where the licensing authority refuses to grant a licence to
any person it shall record in writing the reasons for such refusal and
furnish to that person on demand a brief statement of the same unless
in any case the licensing authority is of the opinion that it will not
be in the public interest to furnish such statement.
15.
Duration and renewal of licence.
15. Duration and renewal of licence.-(1) A licence under section
3 shall, unless revoked earlier, continue in force for a period of
three years from the date on which it is granted:
Provided that such a licence may be granted for a shorter period
if the person by whom the licence is required so desires or if the
42
licensing authority for reasons to be recorded in writing considers in
any case that the licence should be granted for a shorter period.
(2) A licence under any other provision of Chapter II shall,
unless revoked earlier, continue in force for such period from the
date on which it is granted as the licensing authority may in each
case determine.
(3) Every licence shall, unless the licensing authority for
reasons to be recorded in writing otherwise decides in any case, be
renewable for the same period for which the licence was originally
granted and shall be so renewable from time to time, and the
provisions of sections 13 and 14 shall apply to the renewal of a
licence as they apply to the grant thereof.
16.
Fees, etc., for licence.
16. Fees, etc., for licence.- The fees on payment of which, the
conditions subject to which and the form in which a licence shall be
granted or renewed shall be such as may be prescribed:
Provided that different fees, different conditions and different
forms may be prescribed for different types of licences:
Provided further that a licence may contain in addition to
prescribed conditions such other conditions as may be considered
necessary by the licensing authority in any particular case.
17.
Variation, suspension and revocation of licences.
17. Variation, suspension and revocation of licences.- (1) The
licensing authority may vary the conditions subject to which a licence
has been granted except such of them as have been prescribed and may
for that purpose require the licence-holder by notice in writing to
deliver-up the licence to it within such time as may specified in the
notice.
(2) The licensing authority may, on the application of the holder
of a licence, also vary the conditions of the licence except such of
them as have been prescribed.
(3) The licensing authority may by order in writing suspend a
licence for such period as it thinks fit or revoke a licence,--
(a) if the licensing authority is satisfied that the holder
of the licence is prohibited by this Act or by any
other law for the time being in force, from acquiring,
having in his possession or carrying any arms or
ammunition, or is of unsound mind, or is for any reason
unfit for a licence under this Act; or
43
(b) if the licensing authority deems it necessary for the
security of the public peace or for public safety to
suspend or revoke the licence; or
(c) if the licence was obtained by the suppression of
material information or on the basis of wrong
information provided by the holder of the licence or
any other person on his behalf at the time of applying
for it; or
(d) if any of the conditions of the licence has been
contravened; or
(e) if the holder of the licence has failed to comply with a
notice under sub-section (1) requiring him to deliver-
up the licence.
(4) The licensing authority may also revoke a licence on the
application of the holder thereof.
(5) Where the licensing authority makes an order varying a
licence under sub-section (1) or an order suspending or revoking a
licence under sub-section (3), it shall record in writing the reasons
therefor and furnish to the holder of the licence on demand a brief
statement of the same unless in any case the licensing authority is of
the opinion that it will not be in the public interest to furnish such
statement.
(6) The authority to whom the licensing authority is subordinate
may by order in writing suspend or revoke a licence on any ground on
which it may be suspended or revoked by the licensing authority; and
the foregoing provisions of this section shall, as far as may be,
apply in relation to the suspension or revocation of a licence by such
authority.
(7) A court convicting the holder of a licence of any offence
under this Act or the rules made thereunder may also suspend or revoke
the licence:
Provided that if the conviction is set aside on appeal or
otherwise, the suspension or revocation shall become void.
(8) An order of suspension or revocation under sub-section (7)
may also be made by an appellate court or by the High Court when
exercising its powers of revision.
(9) The Central Government may, by order in the Official Gazette,
suspend or revoke or direct any licensing authority to suspend or
revoke all or any licences granted under this Act throughout India or
any part thereof.
44
(10) On the suspension or revocation of a licence under this
section the holder thereof shall without delay surrender the licence
to the authority by whom it has been suspended or revoked or to such
other authority as may be specified in this behalf in the order of
suspension or revocation.
18.
Appeals.
18. Appeals.- (1) Any person aggrieved by an order of the
licensing authority refusing to grant a licence or varying the
conditions of a licence or by an order of the licensing authority or
the authority to whom the licensing authority is subordinate,
suspending or revoking a licence may prefer an appeal against that
order to such authority (hereinafter referred to as the appellate
authority) and within such period as may be prescribed:
Provided that no appeal shall lie against any order made by or
under the direction of, the Government.
(2) No appeal shall be admitted if it is preferred after the
expiry of the period prescribed therefor:
Provided that an appeal may be admitted after the expiry of the
period prescribed therefor if the appellant satisfies the appellate
authority that he had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal
within that period.
(3) The period prescribed for an appeal shall be computed in
accordance with the provisions of the Indian Limitation Act, 1908 (9
of 1908), with respect to the computation of periods of limitation
thereunder.
(4) Every appeal under this section shall be made by a petition
in writing and shall be accompanied by a brief statement of the
reasons for the order appealed against where such statement has been
furnished to the appellant and by such fee as may be prescribed.
(5) In disposing of an appeal the appellate authority shall
follow such procedure as may be prescribed:
Provided that no appeal shall be disposed of unless the appellant
has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
(6) The order appealed against shall, unless the appellate
authority conditionally or unconditionally directs otherwise, be in
force pending the disposal of the appeal against such order.
(7) Every order of the appellate authority confirming, modifying
or reversing the order appealed against shall be final.
45
CHAP
POWERS AND PROCEDURE
CHAPTER IV
POWERS AND PROCEDURE
19.
Power to demand production of licence, etc.
19. Power to demand production of licence, etc.- (1) Any police
officer or any other officer specially empowered in this behalf by the
Central Government may demand the production of his licence from any
person who is carrying any arms or ammunition.
(2) If the person upon whom a demand is made refuses or fails to
produce the licence or to show that he is entitled by virtue of this
Act or any other law for the time being in force to carry such arms or
ammunition without a licence, the officer concerned may require him to
give his name and address and if such officer considers it necessary,
seize from that person the arms or ammunition which he is carrying.
(3) If that person refuses to give his name and address or if the
officer concerned suspects that person of giving a false name or
address or of intending to abscond, such officer may arrest him
without warrant.
20.
Arrest of persons conveying arms, etc., under
suspiciouscircumstances.
20. Arrest of persons conveying arms, etc., under suspicious
circumstances.- Where any person is found carrying or conveying any
arms or ammunition whether covered by a licence or not, in such manner
or under such circumstances as to afford just grounds of suspicion
that the same are or is being carried by him with intent to use them,
or that the same may be used, for any unlawful purpose, any
magistrate, any police officer or any other public servant or any
person employed or working upon a railway, aircraft, vessel, vehicle
or any other means of conveyance, may arrest him without warrant and
seize from him such arms or ammunition.
21.
Deposit of arms, etc., on possession ceasing to be lawful.
21. Deposit of arms, etc., on possession ceasing to be lawful.-
(1) Any person having in his possession any arms or ammunition the
possession whereof has, in consequence of the expiration of the
duration of a licence or of the suspension or revocation of a licence
or by the issue of a notification under section 4 or by any reason
whatever, ceased to be lawful, shall without unnecessary delay deposit
the same either with the officer in charge of the nearest police
station or subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, with a
licensed dealer or where such person is a member of the armed forces
of the Union, in a unit armoury.
Explanation.--In this sub-section "unit armoury" includes an
armoury in a ship or establishment of the Indian Navy.
(2) Where arms or ammunition have or has been deposited under
sub-section (1), the depositor or in the case of his death, his legal
46
representative, shall, at any time before the expiry of such period as
may be prescribed, be entitled--
(a) to receive back anything so deposited on his becoming
entitled by virtue of this Act or any other law for the
time being in force to have the same in his possession,
or
(b) to dispose, or authorise the disposal, of anything so
deposited by sale or otherwise to any person entitled
by virtue of this Act or any other law for the time
being in force to have, or not prohibited by this Act
or such other law from having, the same in his
possession and to receive the proceeds of any such
disposal:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall be deemed to
authorise the return or disposal of anything of which confiscation has
been directed under section 32.
(3) All things deposited and not received back or disposed of
under sub-section (2) within the period therein referred to shall be
forfeited to Government by order of the district magistrate:
Provided that in the case of suspension of a licence no such
forfeiture shall be ordered in respect of a thing covered by the
licence during the period of suspension.
(4) Before making an order under sub-section (3) the district
magistrate shall, by notice in writing to be served upon the depositor
or in the case of his death, upon his legal representative, in the
prescribed manner, require him to show cause within thirty days from
the service of the notice why the things specified in the notice
should not be forfeited.
(5) After considering the cause, if any, shown by the depositor
or, as the case may be, his legal representative, the district
magistrate shall pass such order as he thinks fit.
(6) The Government may at any time return to the depositor or his
legal representative things forfeited to it or the proceeds of
disposal thereof wholly or in part.
22.
Search and seizure by magistrate.
22. Search and seizure by magistrate.-(1) Whenever any magistrate
has reason to believe--
(a) that any person residing within the local limits of his
jurisdiction has in his possession any arms or
ammunition for any unlawful purpose, or
(b) that such person cannot be left in the possession of any
arms or ammunition without danger to the public peace
or safety.
47
the magistrate may, after having recorded the reasons for his belief,
cause a search to be made of the house or premises occupied by such
person or in which the magistrate has reason to believe that such arms
or ammunition are or is to be found and may have such arms or
ammunition, if any, seized and detain the same in safe custody for
such period as he thinks necessary, although that person may be
entitled by virtue of this Act or any other law for the time being in
force to have the same in his possession.
(2) Every search under this section shall be conducted by or in
the presence of a magistrate or by or in the presence of some officer
specially empowered in this behalf by the Central Government.
23.
Search of vessels, vehicles for arms, etc.
23. Search of vessels, vehicles for arms, etc,.- Any magistrate,
any police officer or any other officer specially powered in this
behalf by the Central Government, may for the purpose of ascertaining
whether any contravention of this Act or the rules made thereunder is
being or is likely to be committed, stop and search any vessel,
vehicle or other means of conveyance and seize any arms or ammunition
that may be found therein along with such vessel, vehicle or other
means of conveyance.
24.
Seizure and detention under orders of the Central Government.
24. Seizure and detention under orders of the Central Government.-
The Central Government may at any time order the seizure of any arms
or ammunition in the possession of any person, notwithstanding that
such person is entitled by virtue of this Act or any other law for the
time being in force to have the same in his possession, and may detain
the same for such period as it thinks necessary for the public peace
and safety.
24A.
Prohibition as to possession of notified arms in disturbed areas, etc.
1*[24A. Prohibition as to possession of notified arms in
disturbed areas, etc. (1) Where the Central Government is satisfied
that there is extensive disturbance of public peace and tranquillity
or imminent danger of such disturbance in any area and that for the
prevention of offences involving the use of arms in such area, it is
necessary or expedient so to do, it may by notification in the
Official Gazette--
(a) specify the limits of such area;
(b) direct that before the commencement of the period
specified in the notification (which period shall be a period
commencing from a date not earlier tan the fourth day after the
date of publication of the notification in the Official Gazette),
every person having in his possession in such area any arms of
such description as may be specified in the notification (the
arms so specified being hereafter in this section referred to as
notified arms), shall deposit the same before such commencement
in accordance with the provisions of section 21 and for this
purpose the possession by such person of any notified arms shall,
notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of this
Act (except section 41) or in any other law for the time being in
force, as from the date of publication of such notification in
the Official Gazette be deemed to have ceased to be lawful;
(c) declare that as from the commencement of, and until the
expiry of, the period specified in the notification, it shall not
be lawful for any person to have in his possession in such area
any notified arms;
(d) authorise any such officer subordinate to the Central
Government or a State Government as may be specified in the
notification,--
(i) to search at any time during the period specified
in the notification any person in, or passing through, or
any premises in, or any animal or vessel or vehicle or other
conveyance of whatever nature in or passing through, or any
receptacle or other container of whatever nature in, such
area if such officer has reason to believe that any notified
arms are secreted by such person or in such premises or on
such animal or in such vessel, vehicle or other conveyance
or in such receptacle or other container;
(ii) to seize at any time during the period specified in the
notification any notified arms in the possession of any person in
such area or discovered through a search under sub-clause (i),
and detain the same during the period specified in the
notification.
(2) The period specified in a notification issued under sub-
section (1) in respect of any area Excerpt shown. Open the full act in Lexace.
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