Safety or status? Rising gun culture in Gujarat cause of concern as 5,000 licenses issued in 5 years

Gun culture is steadily growing in Gujarat. In the last five years, a total of 5,204 gun licenses have been issued across the state. Ahmedabad tops the list with 690 licenses, followed by Rajkot with 540 and Dahod with 487.

According to RTI data, in the past five years, over 200 licenses have been issued in each of Surat, Surendranagar, Chhota Udepur, Morbi, Gandhinagar, Banaskantha, and Junagadh. Experts warn that the increasing number of licenses could potentially contribute to a rise in the state’s crime rate.

In Gujarat, guns are largely supplied from other states. Across India, fake gun license scams have also been exposed in the past, including in Ahmedabad.

Trigger-happy Amdavadis!

In 2023, Ahmedabad recorded 191 applications in total. Of these, 55 were for guns  31 were approved and 24 rejected. For revolvers, pistols, and rifles, 136 applications were received, with 49 approvals and 59 rejections.

These figures indicate that revolvers, pistols, and rifles remain the most sought-after firearms among license applicants in the city.

Who can issue a gun license?

The applicant must have filed income tax returns for the last three years.

No FIR should be registered against the applicant.

A training certificate must be provided.

During elections or major festivals, licensed guns must be deposited at the local police station.

After purchasing a firearm, monthly ammunition usage records must be submitted.