Bare Acts

Arms Act

1959 · In force · synced 05 Jul 2026

1.Short title, extent and commencement 2.Definitions and interpretation

II

3.Licence for acquisition and possession of firearms and ammunition 4.Licence for acquisition and possession of arms of specified description in certain cases 5.Licence for manufacture, sale, etc., of arms and ammunition 6.Licence for the shortening of guns or conversion of imitation firearms into firearms 7.Prohibition of acquisition or possession, or of manufacture or sale of prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition 8.Prohibition of sale or transfer of firearms not bearing identification marks 9.Prohibition of acquisition or possession by, or of sale or transfer to, young persons and certain other persons of firearms, etc 10.Licence for import and export of arms, etc 11.Power to prohibit import or export of arms, etc 12.Power to restrict or prohibit transport of arms

III — PROVISIONS RELATING TO LICENCES

13.Grant of licences 14.Refusal of licences 15.Duration and renewal of licence 16.Fees, etc., for licence 17.Variation, suspension and revocation of licences 18.Appeals

IV — POWERS AND PROCEDURE

19.Powers to demand production of licence, etc 20.Arrest of persons conveying arms, etc., under suspicious circumstances 21.Deposit of arms, etc., on possession ceasing to be lawful 22.Search and seizure by magistrate 23.Search of vessels, vehicles for arms, etc 24.Seizure and detention under orders of the Central Government 24A.Prohibition as to possession of notified arms in disturbed areas, etc 24B.Prohibition as to carrying of notified arms in or through public places in disturbed areas, etc

V

25.Punishment for certain offences 26.Secret contraventions 27.Punishment for using arms, etc 28.Punishment for use and possession of firearms or imitation firearms in certain cases 29.Punishment for knowingly purchasing arms, etc., from unlicensed person or for delivering arms, etc., to person not entitled to possess the same 30.Punishment for contravention of licence or rule 31.Punishment for subsequent offences 32.Power to confiscate 33.Offences by companies

VI

34.Sanction of Central Government for warehousing of arms 35.Criminal responsibility of persons in occupation of premises in certain cases 36.Information to be given regarding certain offences 37.Arrest and searches 38.Offences to be cognizable 39.Previous sanction of the district magistrate necessary in certain cases 40.Protection of action taken in good faith 41.Power to exempt 42.Power to take census of firearms 43.Power to delegate 44.Power to make rules 45.Act not to apply in certain cases 46.Repeal of Act 11 of 1878

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