Recently there were two incidents of mass shootings in the United States during the last 11 days, in which more than 30 people including elementary school children were killed.
A total of 24,576 murders were recorded in the US in the year 2020, of which about 79%, (19,384) deaths were due to shootings.
Arms regulation in the US is done through a shared authority existing between federal, state, and local governments.
The US Supreme Court previously held that the Second Amendment to the US Constitution protects the right to “keep and bear a weapon” in self-defense, while federal courts have argued for possible violations by federal, state and local The rules constrain this right.
Today Current Affairs
Arms Control Laws in India:
Arms Act, 1959:
It aims to cover all aspects related to the acquisition, possession, manufacture, sale, import, export and transport of arms and ammunition in India.
Qualifications for obtaining a gun license in India : The Hindu Analysis
The minimum age limit for obtaining a gun license in India is 21 years.
The applicant must not have been convicted of any offense involving violence or morality, of ‘unsound mind’, or endangering public safety and peace, for five years prior to the application.
Property qualification is not a criterion for obtaining a gun license.
On receipt of an application the Licensing Authority (i.e., Ministry of Home Affairs) asks the Officer-in-Charge of the nearest Police Station to submit a report about the applicant after thorough investigation within the stipulated time.
Other Features of the Act : The Hindu Analysis
It defines ‘prohibited weapons’ as weapons that release either any harmful liquid or gas, or weapons that require the trigger to be pressed
It allows the use of smoothbore guns with barrels of at least 20 inches for crop protection or sport.
No entity is permitted to sell or transfer a gun that does not bear the manufacturer’s name, manufacturer’s number or any other visible seal or identification mark.
Amendment in Arms Act : The Hindu Analysis
The Arms Act, as amended in 2019, can reduce the number of guns a person can purchase from 3 to 2.
The validity of the license has been increased to 5 years from the present 3 years.
It also lists specific provisions to reduce the use of licensed weapons to ensure social harmony.
Punishment : The Hindu Analysis
Imprisonment has been increased from 7 to 14 years along with fine for the offense of possession, possession or carrying of prohibited ammunition without a licence.
It prohibits conversion of unlicensed guns from one class to another.
Unlawful manufacture, sale and transfer shall be punishable with imprisonment of not less than seven years, which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.
Here we mention all information about Arms control law Today Current Affairs.
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