(a) whether there are reports regarding increasing use of lethal/modern weapons by
criminals to commit crimes in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government in this regard;and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to check the use of illegal weapons in the country?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY MAKEN)
(a) & (b): ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order` are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of
India and therefore, the State Governments are primarily responsible for prevention, detection, registration
and investigation of crime and for prosecuting the criminals through the machinery of their law enforcement
agencies as also for protecting the life and property of the citizens.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which compiles data relating to crime does not maintain Information
regarding use of Modern Weapons by criminals separately.
(c): Section 5 of the Arms Act stipulates that no person shall use any firearms or any other arms of
such class or description as may be prescribed or any ammunition; unless he holds in this behalf a
license issued in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder. Further
Section 27 of the Arms Act stipulates punishment for use of any firearms or ammunition in contravention
of this provision.