How to Get a Gun Licence in India: Step-by-Step Process & Complete Price List

In India, getting a gun licence is a privilege regulated under the Arms Act of 1959. Civilians can apply for an arms licence only under strict conditions, such as self-defense or sports shooting. The cost of a pistol license in India can vary significantly depending on the state and the type of license. The process can be tedious, lengthy, and expensive, but this guide will help you navigate it easily.

Through this article, understand all you need to know about gun licences in India, including the application procedure, eligibility criteria, required documents, fees, and the price of licensed firearms.

What is an Arms License?

An arms licence is a government-issued permit under the Arms Act 1959 and Arms Rules 2016 , allowing individuals to legally possess, own, and carry firearms under specific conditions.

Consult top-rated Documentation lawyers in your city

641+ Lawyers are online

FIND MY LAWYER NOW

What are the Arms License eligibility criteria in India?

The eligibility criteria for obtaining an arms licence varies by state but are generally governed by the Arms Rules 2016. The common requirements include:

• Age Requirements: A person must be at least 21 years old (except for sports shooting, where applicants can be 12 years or older)

• Citizenship: The applicant must be an Indian citizen. Overseas citizens of India (OCI) may apply under specific conditions

• Background checks: Authorities conduct criminal record checks, address verification, and mental health assessments before granting a firearm licence.

• Gun Licence for Self-defence : For individuals with a genuine threat to their life or property.

• Sports Shooting/Hunting: Requires proof of participation in recognized shooting events.

• Crop Protection: Farmers can apply for a gun licence if wild animals damage their crops (subject to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972).

Documents Needed for Firearm Licence Application in India

To apply for a gun licence in India, you need the following documents:

1. Arms Licence Application Form

2. Personal identification Proof documents (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, etc.)

3. Proof of residence (Electricity Bill, Rental Agreement, etc.)

4. Safe storage declaration (Form S-2) (e.g., photograph of a steel almirah) 

5. No Objection Certificate (NOC) (For government employees)

6. Income Proof (Salary Slips, ITR, etc.)

7. Character Certificates from two responsible citizens

8. Medical/Physical fitness certificate (Form S-3)

9. Educational qualification proof (Self-attested copies)

10. Date of Birth Proof (Birth Certificate or School Leaving Certificate)

11. Firearm Training Certification (Form S-1)

12. Supporting Documents (Justification for owning a firearm)

Step by Step Guide to the Gun Licence Process in India

Step 1: Obtain and fill out the Application Form: Download the required Arms Licence Application Form (A-1 to A-14) based on the type of firearm.
Step 2: Firearms Training Certification: Some states, like Delhi, require a firearm training certificate (Form S-1) for a gun licence.
Step 3: Medical Examination: A medical fitness certificate (Form S-3) is mandatory
Step 4: Safe Storage Declaration: Applicants must declare that they will store their firearm safely (Form S-2)
Step 5: Submission of Application: Applications can be submitted through the NDAL-ALIS portal or the local licensing authority. Fees apply.
Step 6: Procedure after submission of Gun License Application: Authorities conduct criminal background checks and behavioral assessments before approval. Once cleared, the applicant can purchase a firearm from an authorized dealer.

Consult top-rated Documentation lawyers in your city

641+ Lawyers are online

FIND MY LAWYER NOW

Arms/Guns Licence Fees in India

• Handguns (revolvers/pistols): Rs. 1,000

• Centrefire Rifles: Rs. 1,000

• Shotguns & Air Weapons: Rs. 1,000

• Renewal Fee (Per Year): Rs. 500 - 2,000

• Late Renewal Penalty: RS. 1,500 - 3,000

Additional costs may include firearm training fees, medical examination charges, and other administrative expenses.

How Much Does a Gun Licence Cost in India?

The total cost of obtaining a firearm licence includes:

• Application Fee (?1,000)

• Firearm Training Costs

• Medical Examination Fees

• Storage Setup (e.g., a steel almirah)
   

Post-Licence Acquisition: Purchasing a Firearm

Once the arms licence is issued, one can buy a firearm from:

• Authorized Arms Dealers

• Other licensed firearm holders

• Licensed manufacturers

It is important to note that after a fresh license is granted, the licensee has to purchase/acquire a weapon within 2 years, which may be further extended by 1 year (total 2+1 years) as per the decision of the Licensing Authority.
 

Licensed Gun Price in India (2024 Updated List)

Legal Firearm Prices in India with Licence

• 0.32” Revolver MK-III - Rs. 65,000

• 0.32” Prime Revolver MK-IV - Rs. 68,000

• 0.32” Prime Pistol - Rs. 70,000

• 0.22” Prime Sporting Rifle - Rs. 38,200

• 0.32 & Prime Revolver Long Barrel - Rs. 87,500

• 0.32 & Prime Revolver MK-III - Rs. 97,000 

• 0.22 & Prime Sporting Rifle - Rs. 38,200

• 0.30-06 & Prime Sporting Rifle - Rs. 86,250

• 0.315 & Prime Sporting Rifle - Rs. 56,100

• 0.22 & Prime Revolver - Rs. 40,900

• 0.22 & Prime Revolver NIDAR - Rs. 40,400

• 0.32 Revolvers/Pistols - Rs. 40,500

New licence holders must purchase a firearm within 2 years, with an extension of 1 additional year if approved by the licensing authority.

Consult top-rated Documentation lawyers in your city

641+ Lawyers are online

FIND MY LAWYER NOW

Arms License Renewal Process in India

• Apply for renewal at least 60 days before expiry.

• Renewal period: 5 years (or as per authority discretion).

• Fees: Rs. 500 - 2,000 per year, depending on weapon type.

Penalty for Late Renewal

• Applications submitted within 30 days of expiry incur no penalty.

• Beyond 30 days, late fees will be charged.
   

Suspension/Revocation of Gun License

A gun licence may be suspended or revoked under the Arms Act 1959 if:

• The holder is found unfit to possess firearms.

• The licence was obtained fraudulently.

• Public safety concerns arise.
   

Transfer of Gun/Arms License In India 

When relocating to another state, a firearm licence transfer is necessary. The process requires re-registration with the new state's authority.

What is the procedure for applying for an Arms license in India?

1. Application to the Authority
An application for the grant of licence is made to the licensing authority and is accompanied by a fee, if any, as may be prescribed. In Delhi, the authority is A.D.C.P (Licensing), while other metropolises necessitate applications at the local D.C.P (Licensing) office. Non-metro denizens should direct their aspirations to the office of their local S.D.M. (Sub-Divisional Magistrate). For people living in non-metro cities, they would need to apply at the office of their local S.D.M. (Sub-Divisional Magistrate).

2. Verification Procedure
On receipt of an application, the licensing authority calls for the report of the Officer in charge of the nearest police station on that application, and such Officer shall send his report within the prescribed time. This is done basically for the Police verification procedure. They check for any criminal record or not, and the authenticity of all information declared in the application.

Persons with past criminal records are not eligible for arms licenses. In almost all cases, a policeman will go to each of the addresses supplied and probably even ask your neighbors about your "moral character". The applicant must declare all addresses that he/ she has resided at during the last 5 years, along with the period and duration from-to for each address. A verification report will be requested from the relevant local Police Stations at all the addresses provided by you. This is where most license application files "get lost" in transit.

3. Grant or refusal of the license
After such inquiry, the Licensing Authority may grant or refuse to grant the licence by order in writing after considering the report received and all the necessary aspects. In a recent case, the Allahabad High Court held that an arms licence can be cancelled while a criminal case is pending if the applicant's conduct is detrimental to the safety and peace of the public.

Consult top-rated Documentation lawyers in your city

641+ Lawyers are online

FIND MY LAWYER NOW

What is the permitted need for a Gun license in India?

The Purposes of Lawful Firearms Ownership: Target-shooting and for personal protection. You will have to prove the justifiable reasons for Self-defence. Firearm ownership is not permitted for to collection or hunting of animals for sport or food.
 

What are the types of guns permitted for use by civilians?

The Arms Act 1959 divides the firearm license into two types-

• Prohibited Bore (PB): It includes automatic & semi-automatic firearms which are prohibited for use by the public and only issued by the Government. Its specified group of persons is allowed to use such.

• Non-Prohibited Bore: It includes the remaining types of firearms that do not fall in the above category and are permitted to be issued to the general public by the Federal & state governments. However, section 14 of the Act provides that the government may refuse to give a license if it thinks that granting a license will be against public policy or pose a risk to public safety. Thus, it is not obligatory upon the State or Federal Government to issue gun licenses compulsorily.

Guns permitted for use by civilians are Shotguns, Handguns, and sporting rifles. Civilians can hold a maximum of THREE arms licenses. There is no limitation as to what combination of 3 can be held, so in theory, a person may very well use his three permitted arms licenses to hold:

1 handgun + 1 shotgun + 1 rifle (which is what most people do, but there is no legal necessity to adhere to this particular combination) OR 3 handguns OR 2 handguns + 1 rifle OR 2 handguns + 1 shotgun OR 3 rifles OR 2 rifles + 1 handgun OR 2 rifles + 1 shotgun OR 3 shotguns OR 2 shotguns + 1 handgun OR 2 shotguns + 1 rifle

Arms Licences are granted by the authorities for limited purposes, which include the following:

• License for self-defense - persons who, due to the nature of their profession, job, business, etc., or otherwise require a firearm to protect their life and/or property. Licenses under this category are also issued to persons in service or who have served in the Defence Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, or the State Police Force and therefore require a firearm to protect their life and/or property.

• License for the destruction of wild animals which damage crops and/or injure people or cattle - the grant of licenses for this purpose is subject to all the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and a person seeking to procure such license has to state the details of the land and cultivation requiring protection as well.

• Licenses for training and target practice - such licenses are granted to persons between the ages of 12 and 21 upon such applicant furnishing proof of his/her participation in sports shooting events. Further, such persons are only permitted to use a firearm under the immediate presence and/or supervision of an adult instructor.

• License for sport shooting associations - under this category, licenses can be obtained by any sports shooting club or military mess affiliated to the respective state rifle association or the national rifle association.

• License for shooting ranges - such licenses can be obtained by both indoor and outdoor shooting ranges, and their grant is subject to the applying shooting ranges meeting the technical and security standards specified by the government in this regard.

• License for accredited trainers - shooting trainers can obtain licenses under this category to become accredited trainers upon passing an exam and undergoing requisite training in this regard.

• License to museums - museums can seek licenses for lawfully displaying firearms for the public, and are required to meet a plethora of requirements laid down under the arms rules to be granted such a license.

• License for arms and ammunition for theatrical, film, or television productions - licenses granted for such purpose are subject to the restriction that no live ammunition can be used for firearms under such license.

• License for acquisition, possession, and export, but not use to tourists visiting India - tourists may also be granted arms licenses in India for the sole purpose of acquisition, possession, and export, but the license does not permit the use of such firearms by tourists. Further, these licenses cannot be granted for the export of arms that fall under the definition of & lsquo antiquity' under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972.

• License to international sports persons for participating in shooting events held in India - These licenses are granted to sports persons participating in shooting events organized by any organization that is recognized by the Indian Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of India.

• License for legal heirs of licensees - this permits legal heirs of licensees to apply for a license upon the demise of the licensee or upon the licensee attaining the age of 70 years or on holding the firearm for 25 years, whichever is earlier.
   

Conclusion

Obtaining a firearm licence in India requires strict compliance with legal procedures, thorough documentation, and patience. Gun ownership is a responsibility, and ensuring proper storage and usage is essential to avoid legal consequences.

For legal queries, consult a lawyer on LawRato.com or ask a free legal question .

Advocate Chikirsha Mohanty

Greater Kailash - 1, Delhi
5 years

GET LEGAL HELP

GET LEGAL HELP