Delhi High Court: “Weapons not for showing off”

Keeping a weapon is not a fundamental right. These days keeping a weapon in one's possession is more of a “ show off” and is kept as “ status symbol” instead for self-defence.

The Delhi High Court observed this in a recent judgment where a private company official requested for an arm's license which was denied by the licensing authority of the police and as well as Lieutenant Governor (LG). Justice Sandeep Sachdeva while upholding the decision of licensing authority and LG held that, “ We are not living in a lawless society where individuals have to acquire or hold arms to protect themselves.” The object of the Arms Act was to ensure that the weapons are not available to citizens for self-defence but it does not mean every individual should be given a license to possess a weapon. In the present case, petitioner has sought an arm's license on the ground that he daily deals with cash ranging from 2-3 lakhs and therefore he needs a weapon to ensure the safety of the money. The court rejected the contention and claimed that the petitioner has failed to show that there is any danger to his life. The court observed that “ License to hold arms is to be granted where there is a necessity for the same and not merely at the asking of an individual at his whims and fancies.” Possession of arms has become a status symbol these days. Individuals seek to possess arms today as a status symbol. They hold arms to show that they are influential people. People also use arms indiscriminately at weddings. Court held, “ the grant of arms license is a privilege confirmed by the Arms Act. There is no fundamental right of an individual to hold an arm.”