The recent mass shootings in a school in Florida has managed to create a ripple effect all over the world. With criminals committing crimes without fear of repercussions, we are constantly paranoid about the safety of our loved ones. Looking at the rising crime statistics, we often wonder how easy is it to acquire a gun.
A Twitter user and freelance writer Sandhya Ramesh posted a thread on the micro-blogging site describing the procedure of acquiring a gun in commendable detail. She goes through each process one-by-one, which will definitely educate a lot of people. Take a look.
1. Thank God for that!
For a civilian to obtain a firearm, a gun license is mandatory. Minimum age for applying for one is 21. The application form asks details about past criminal behavior. The process to get one can take months, even years. pic.twitter.com/N6jSQUuSqp
— Sandhya Ramesh (@sandygrains) February 19, 2018
2. Wow. Who knew?
The police performs stringent background checks for 2 months. This includes reviewing the applicant's mental health history, criminal history, interviewing them and their family, interviewing their neighbors re: suspicious and aggressive behavior, domestic violence, and more.
— Sandhya Ramesh (@sandygrains) February 19, 2018
3. That would ensure a lot of safety.
All applicants have to undergo a mandatory arms handling course that covers how to fire a gun correctly, safe handling, safe storage, and safe transportation.
— Sandhya Ramesh (@sandygrains) February 19, 2018
4. In case you were wondering.
Licenses are usually issued by state licensing authorities. National licenses that can be used across the country are rare.
The probability of success for obtaining a license is higher if you are 30 and above.
A license is valid for three years.
— Sandhya Ramesh (@sandygrains) February 19, 2018
5. The attention to detail is amazing.
To purchase a gun with a license, the civilian need to pre-book it with a licensed arms dealer, who in turn procures it from a factory. It can also be purchased from factories in proximity to your residence directly.
— Sandhya Ramesh (@sandygrains) February 19, 2018
6. A smart choice.
Civilians are allowed possession of only Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB) category weapons. This means two things:
— Sandhya Ramesh (@sandygrains) February 19, 2018
7. Exceptions also have some conditions.
These exceptions are always high ranking government officials and their families, defence personnel, and a select few professional shooters. Collectors are also exempted, but all collectibles are non-functional.
— Sandhya Ramesh (@sandygrains) February 19, 2018
8. You can’t use these either.
Air rifles, paintball guns, and blank firing guns are also classified as weapons and require licenses because these can be converted to functioning guns with machinery work.
— Sandhya Ramesh (@sandygrains) February 19, 2018
9. At least tasers can be used for protecting ourselves.
More documentation required for civilian and arms dealer to obtain a gun from a factory: photocopy of gun license, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the police and the factory owner, transportation license possessed by the factory to transport the gun, residential proof.
— Sandhya Ramesh (@sandygrains) February 19, 2018
10. This is great!
All public spaces including malls, hospitals, movie theatres, and schools of course, are designated gun-free zones. Any property can apply to become a gun-free zone.
— Sandhya Ramesh (@sandygrains) February 19, 2018
11. For further reference
Accessories designed to stifle the firing of a gun like silencers and flash-hiders are illegal. Possession and manufacture of replica of firearms also requires a license. pic.twitter.com/SCSTetMNFE
— Sandhya Ramesh (@sandygrains) February 19, 2018
12. You can even go to the link to see more info about gun control.
Links: https://t.co/X7wvI8aHZC, https://t.co/CMBYjw0Pm5, http://164.100.72.178/armscode/pdf/FAQ_ARMS_RULES.pdf, https://t.co/kuYEfvGAmz, https://t.co/vfA0O2ajLZ, https://t.co/OzqrwXaKlH
— Sandhya Ramesh (@sandygrains) February 19, 2018
13. Are we still safe though?
Also, the cost of guns is designed to be a deterrent. Legal guns cost nearly 70% more than what they cost in the US. Illegal ones (esp import) go up to five or ten times the price.
— Sandhya Ramesh (@sandygrains) February 20, 2018
14. Obviously, it does.
Everything above is for legal guns only, of course. Illicit trade flourishes.
— Sandhya Ramesh (@sandygrains) February 20, 2018
Despite, the illegal market flourishing, it is still great to know that getting a gun in India is not as easy as we thought it was. Now, all we need is a crackdown on the illegal gun market.