The Arms Act, 1959: A Legal Analysis and Comp...

The Arms Act, 1959: A Legal Analysis and Comparative Study with USA

Author Name : S. Shobia, A. Amaliya

ABSTRACT To maintain law and order in a country, the government lays down various laws and regulations. The defense and security agencies help to defend the state against any kind of internal or external threats. These agencies are equipped with guns and weapons and empowered to use reasonable force and at times excessive power depending upon the situation to maintain peace and security of the state. In India, the authority to use of firearms and ammunition is restricted to only the armed forces and law enforcement agencies. But, the laws relating to owning and using guns by citizens are very strict and highly regulated. The principal gun control legislation in the country is the Arms Act, 1959, which prohibits the sale, manufacture, possession, acquisition, import, export, and transport of firearms and ammunition unless under a license.