Punjab Arms Rules, 2023 amended

LAHORE: Punjab Cabinet Standing Committee on Legislative Business has recommended amendments to Punjab Arms Rules 2023, adding a new chapter of law for establishment and licensing of “Gun Shooting Clubs” in the province.

According to the documents available with “Jang”, Gun Shooting Clubs will be institutions of training for shooting firearms in a safe and controlled environment. The shooting range experts will be those who have experience in marksmanship coaching from a law enforcement agency or Pakistan Army.

Registration centres will be set up in Punjab for gun shooting coaching and shooting range experts. A new chapter has been added in Punjab Arms Rules 2023 regarding issuance of gun shooting club licence.

Under the rules included in this chapter, gun shooting club licence can be issued to any individual (natural person) including men, women and transgender, and to any organisation or firm.

It is necessary for the applicant to have a valid Pakistani identity card to obtain a licence; his age should not be less than 30 years; being active taxpayer and not having any criminal record or conviction by any court.

Apart from not being a member of any proscribed organisation, he should not be mentally and physically ill. If an organistion or firm is to apply for a gun shooting club licence, it must be legally registered with the relevant bodies.

Home Secretary Punjab will have the authority to scrutinise the applicant for the licence. He will ask for a clearance report about the applicant from the Special Branch, Deputy Commissioner or Civil Defence Officer concerned.

Punjab Home Secretary will issue the gun shooting club licence if the reports of the institutions are satisfactory.

District Inspection Committees will be formed in each district whose convener will be the respective Deputy Commissioner. Special Branch, CTD, District Police, Civil Defence Officer and shooting range experts will be members of these committees. The initial fee for obtaining a club licence will be Rs50,000 and Rs10,000 annual fee. Arms licences issued to businesses were earlier valid for only one year. Now, the validity will be a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years. The Standing Committee on Legislative Business also approved amendment to Arms Rules 2023. The authority will now be called as Home Secretary Punjab instead of Additional Chief Secretary.