Question : GUIDELINES ON VALIDITY OF ARMS LICENCE

(a) whether the Ministry has issued fresh guidelines to extend the validity of arms licence; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)

(a) to (b): No fresh guidelines have been issued in the year 2012. However, as per the guidelines of 2010, the following provision has been made with regard to extension of all India validity (AIV) of arms licences:

“State Governments may allow area validity up to a maximum of three adjoining States and also to consider AIV requests at State level for (i) sitting Union Ministers/MPs, (ii) Personnel of Military, Para Military, (iii) officers of All India Services (iv) officers with liability to service anywhere in India and (iv) Sports persons. AIV may be allowed for 3 years, after which it shall be reconsidered by the State Government based on need and the area validity can be either reduced or allowed to continue for another three years. Request from above categories of applicants may be approved at the level of Secretary (Home) of the State concerned. In the cases of applicants not covered by the above categories, the State Government shall seek prior concurrence of MHA with full justification in deserving cases. All India Validity may be allowed for three years in such cases and shall be re-considered after three years by the State Government with prior concurrence of MHA”.