Gujarat’s long-celebrated ‘safe state’ image seems to be fading with the gradual increase of gun culture in the state. 

Around 80% of those possessing firearms obtained through questionable means are gamblers and anti-social elements, an ongoing drive led by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Special Operations Group (SOG) has found.

Many individuals were found to have acquired gun licences from other states, primarily Delhi and Haryana, with the help of agents, bypassing local laws and scrutiny. Even prominent and influential figures have reportedly obtained licenses illegally.

After Gujarat’s Director General of Police Vikas Sahay ordered a crackdown within 100 hours, operations intensified against those fuelling the gun culture. SOG teams across all districts, under ATS supervision, launched in-depth investigations into licenses acquired through agents from other states.

The ATS and Ahmedabad Crime Branch are investigating states like Manipur, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, where gun licenses are allegedly obtained more easily. 

For instance, in Surendranagar district, 21 individuals were found in possession of 25 weapons and 216 cartridges—17 of whom admitted to obtaining licenses from Manipur and Nagaland via agents.

Following similar patterns in other districts, ATS has compiled a list of 160 individuals for further investigation. The racket of obtaining licenses through agents from other states has reportedly been operating in an organised manner for decades. 

The scam has infiltrated cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Surendranagar, Morbi, Botad, and Jamnagar. The process involves spending lakhs of rupees to bypass rules and obtain licenses, mainly  through illicit players—around 80% of whom are considered anti-social elements, as per reports.

These individuals often use out-of-state licenses to purchase guns and assert dominance. Sources reveal that it’s difficult to get a license within Gujarat, while northeastern states easily issue gun licences. These licenses often overlook background checks like criminal records with the Gujarat police.

Active agent networks in Haryana, Delhi

An active chain of agents also assist in gun purchases from Haryana and Delhi, as many arms dealers refuse to sell weapons based on out-of-state licenses. Furthermore, even elected officials are required by law to notify authorities if they change their address, but this rule is frequently flouted. While this is the third major drive in five years, no permanent solution seems to have been found yet.

While ATS appears committed to strict action, questions are being raised about the secrecy surrounding the investigation. The agency has remained silent about the identities and details of some high-profile individuals involved, including celebrities, raising concerns over transparency. 

The racket of obtaining gun licenses from other states is not new. In 2007, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch exposed a major scam involving fake gun licenses from Jammu and Kashmir. Similar cases have since emerged from Nagaland and again from J&K two years ago. Despite these repeated exposures, no coordinated or permanent solution has been implemented to resolve the issue between states.