Aap Tax Law

The Arms Act, 1959: Licences, Renewal, Suspension, Appeals and Penalties

The Arms Act, 1959 (Act No. 54 of 1959) consolidates and amends Indian law relating to arms and ammunition. It was enacted on 23 December 1959 and brought into force on 1 October 1962.

Current legal position: the Act must be read with the Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019 and the Arms Rules, 2016, as amended. The 2019 amendment generally limits possession under section 3(2) to two firearms and changed the normal duration of a section 3 licence from three years to five years, subject to the Act and applicable conditions.
Licence limitGenerally not more than two firearms under section 3(2), subject to statutory exceptions.
Licence durationA section 3 licence ordinarily continues for five years unless revoked earlier or granted for a shorter period.
Licence decisionsSections 13-18 cover grant, refusal, duration, fees, variation, suspension, revocation and appeals.
OffencesChapter V contains criminal offences and penalties for specified contraventions involving arms and ammunition.

Chapter I - Preliminary

Section 1 - Short title, extent and commencement

(1) This Act may be called the Arms Act, 1959.

(2) It extends to the whole of India.

(3) It comes into force on the date appointed by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette. The notified enforcement date is 1 October 1962.

Chapter II - Acquisition, Possession, Manufacture, Sale, Import, Export and Transport

Chapter III - Provisions Relating to Licences

These provisions govern the licensing authority's consideration of applications, refusal, duration and renewal, fees, variation, suspension or revocation, and statutory appeals.

Chapter IV - Powers and Procedure

Chapter V - Offences and Penalties

The Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019 strengthened a number of offences and penalties. The precise punishment depends on the provision, conduct, arm or ammunition involved, and other statutory circumstances; the applicable section should therefore be checked before relying on any penalty summary.

Chapter VI - Miscellaneous

Note: This page is a structured legal reference and section index. For an application, licence condition, offence or proceeding, consult the current statutory text, rules, notifications and orders applicable to the facts and jurisdiction.