Govt notifies new Arms Rules; Leniency in licence to people in

militancy-hit areas New Delhi, Sep 5 (PTI) Safe use and storage of firearms,provisions for granting restricted category of arms to thoseliving in militancy-hit areas and a decision on applicationfor arms licence within two months are part of the new rulesissued by the central government. According to the Arms Rules, 2016, which supersedes theArms Rules, 1962, every person applying for an arms licence ora rifle club or association or firing range or staff employedby such club or a manufacturer or dealer shall be required tocomplete the arms and ammunition safety training course. The training course involves basic arms and ammunitionsafety practices, including safe handling and carryprocedures, firing techniques and procedures, care of arms andammunition and their safe storage and transportation. The rules say that the designated authority will considergranting the restricted or permissible arms to those who facegrave and anticipated threat to their life by reason of beingresident of a geographical area or areas where militants,terrorists or extremists are most active, and those being theprime target in the eyes of militants, any governmentofficial, any MP, MLA or their family members. The licensing authority, after considering theapplication and on being satisfied that the applicant hasfulfilled the eligibility conditions, shall grant or refuse togrant a licence of arms or ammunition within a period of sixtydays of the receipt of the police report, the new rules say.(More) PTI ACB KIS SCKIS