Delhi: Police to train gun owners
To avoid any misuse of weapons, especially at weddings and other social functions, the Delhi Police have started a mandatory training programme for gun licence holders. Faizan Haider reports.
To avoid any misuse of weapons, especially at weddings and other social functions, the Delhi Police have started a mandatory training programme for gun licence holders.
Licence holders are being trained everything, right from handling guns to cleaning them to the consequences they could face in case of any accidental firing.
“Last week, we conducted a training session for gun licence holders of Greater Kailash, Lajpat Nagar and Amar Colony. They were told how to handle a gun and precautionary measures they can take while going out of the city or even while cleaning the gun. It is a preventive measure and our expert in gun handling told them the dos and don’ts,” said Ajay Chaudhry, additional CP (southeast).
Every police station has records of licence holders living in its jurisdiction. The move comes in the wake of increasing incidents of celebratory and accidental firing.
“The licence-holder must know that his gun should be kept in safe custody, especially away from children and unauthorized persons. Also the weapon should not be handled unnecessarily. One must unload the weapon before handing it over or taking it from anybody,” a senior police officer said.
Gun owners were unaware of many things.
“While cleaning or unloading, the barrel should always point towards the ground. Also, the owner should never look down into the barrel of a fire arm with its butt on the ground. We will continue such training sessions across the capital,” the officer added.
According to the licensing unit, due to tough norms, the number of licences issued has gone down. Against the 1,109 gun licenses in 2011, the highest in five years, the licensing unit of the Delhi Police issued only 993 arm licences in 2012.
On an average, the Delhi Police receive over 2,000 applications.
“It depends on the need of the applicant. If he/she are dealing with cash transactions, we consider them. Sometimes, people apply randomly just to show that they have a gun. If the reason is not strong, we reject the application,” the officer added.