Come April 2019, arms licence holders will be included in national database

Come April 2019, names of all arms licence holders - new or old - will be included in a national database and they will be issued a unique identification number (UIN), according to the Home Ministry.

The move is aimed at keeping a tab on authorised private gun holders, many of whom are often found involved in crimes and celebratory firing leading to loss of lives.

Every licensing and renewing authority will have to enter the data in the National Database of Arms Licenses system, which will generate a UIN, and with effect from April 1, 2019, any arms licence without UIN shall be considered invalid, the ministry said in a notification.

The decision has been taken by exercising powers under Section 44 of the Arms Act, 1959 (54 of 1959) by amending the Arms Rules, 2016. These rules will be called the Arms (Second Amendment) Rules, 2018.

Additionally, any existing licencee holding multiple licences - under Form III - shall on or before April 1 make an application for grant of a single licence in respect of all firearms held by him or her under his or her UIN to the concerned licensing authority.