Munger : The original hub of Kattabazaari

In Munger, it is easier to find a gun than a pen

Evolution of Gun Laws

Guns have been a part of our society for a very long time, one could rather say that they played an important role even before our independence. Why don’t we take a look at the history of gun culture in India and how it has evolved till date!

We are all very well accustomed to the British Raj in India from 1858 to 1947. With the British power rising in India in the middle 1800s, incidents like bad pay, racial insensitivity, poor terms of pensions, increasing cultural indifference etc. on the part of the British officers contributed to the discontent among Indian soldiers. The sepoy mutiny of 1857 was an outcome of the “greased cartridges” which had a catalytic effect on the religious sentiments of Hindu and Muslim soldiers. The Britishers were under an immense fear that such repeated rebellions in the future would lead to the end of British Colonial era from India forever.

Although the rebellion failed, the illegal and unauthorised use of British weapons such as guns, rifles etc., by the Indian soldiers led to the introduction of the Arms Act of 1878. The act passed under the tenure of then viceroy Lord Lytton, ensured that no Indian could possess a weapon of any description unless the Crown was satisfied that he was a loyal subject of the Crown. The position of the Arms Act remained unobjected to up until 12 years of India gaining independence, when the Arms Act of 1959 was passed.

Also Read: Guns and the British Rule

In 1959, the Arms Act of 1878 as enacted by the British was finally repealed and a whole new Arms Act was passed. It was better than the Britisher’s edition, but at the same time, it was also reflective of the Indian Government’s distrust in its own citizens. This act gave arbitrary use of powers to the licensing authorities.

The The Arms Act 1959 was supplemented by the Arms rules in 1962. They both together regulate, i.e., prohibit the acquisition, possession, manufacture, sale, export, import and transfer of firearms except with a license, which in itself is quite difficult to obtain since the process is tedious and may take even years to complete.

The Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha recently. The Act defines arms to include firearms, swords, and anti-aircraft missiles. The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill noted that law enforcement agencies have indicated a growing connection between the possession of illegal firearms and criminal activities. To know more, lets look at a few more details that can help us gain a quick overview on this bill.

Also Read: Understanding recent amendments to Arms Act, 1959

How many firearms are allowed per person?

The Arms Act, 1959 allows a person to have one licenced firearms. This would also include any firearms that may have been given as inheritance or as an heirloom. Excess firearms must be deposited at the nearest police station or licensed arms dealer within one year of the passing of the Bill.

What changes are being made to existing offences?

Presently, the Act bans manufacture, sale, use, transfer, conversion, testing or proofing of firearms without license. The Bill also increased punishments for several existing offences. For example, the Act specifies the punishment for:

• dealing in un-licensed firearms, including their manufacture, procurement, sale, transfer, conversion,

• the shortening or conversion of a firearm without a licence, and

• import or export of banned firearms.

The punishment for these offences currently is between three years and seven years, along with a fine. The Bill increases the minimum punishment to seven years and the maximum to life imprisonment.

Are there any new offences being introduced?

The Bill adds certain new offences. For example, forcefully taking a firearm from police or armed forces has been made a crime under the Bill. The punishment for doing so is imprisonment between 10 years and life imprisonment, along with a fine. Additionally, the Bill punishes the negligent use of firearms, such as celebratory gunfire during weddings or religious ceremonies which endanger human life or personal safety of others. The punishment in this case is imprisonment of up to two years, or a fine of up to one lakh rupees, or both.

Munger : The original hub of Kattabazaari

As we enter the 20th century, Munger in Bihar has become the first stop for every gun owner to purchase and sell off illegal guns without any licensing or registration required. For over two centuries, Munger has been arming the subcontinent, both legally and illegally. Owning a gun has always been a part of the local culture, so much so that parts of Munger town are named after weapon components — Chuabagh (‘chua’ is the wood from which the butt of a rifle was made), Belan Bazar (‘belan’ was used to stuff explosives in guns), and Topkhana Bazar (tank market).

“In Munger, it is easier to find a gun than a pen,” says Manoj Sharma, owner of RK Gun House.

The price list of the ‘Made in Munger’ catalogue goes something like this: a katta sells for ₹500; sophisticated revolvers and pistols appearing more original than international models such as Smith & Wesson or Beretta can be bought for ₹30,000 to ₹75,000; a 9mm or 7.65mm pistol can be bought for ₹25,000; and Insas rifles are available for a few lakhs.

Now, due to the harsh new rules in the latest Arms Policy, the gradual demise of the legal gun manufacturing industry has spawned innumerable illegal factories in Munger, and over the years, the entire district has become a hub for illegal weapons manufacturing in the country.

Also Read: The changing face of Munger's gun trade

From katta (country-made single shot pistol) to Kalashnikov, you can get any type of weapon in the illegal gun markets of Munger, provided you have the connections,” a seller adds. Munger today is famous for three things: Munger Yoga University, the Indian Tobacco Company factory, and the illegal arms industry.

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