THE ARMS ACT, 1959. ACT NO. 54 OF 1959, 23rd December, 1959.
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to Arms and Ammunition.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Tenth Year of the Republic of India as follows:―
Download PDF for Arms Act, 1959
Sections | Particulars |
Preamble | |
Chapter I | Preliminary |
1 | Short title, extent and commencement |
2 | Definitions |
Chapter II | Acquisition, Possession, Manufacture, Sale , Import, Export And Transport Of Arms And Ammunition |
3 | License for acquisition and possession of firearms and ammunition |
4 | License for acquisition and possession of arms of specified description in certain cases |
5 | License for manufacture, sale, etc., of arms and ammunition |
6 | License 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 fire arms, etc. |
10 | License 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 |
Chapter III | Provisions Relating To Licences |
13 | Grant of licenses |
14 | Refusal of licenses |
15 | Duration and renewal of license |
16 | Fees, etc., for license |
17 | Variation, suspension and revocation of licenses |
18 | Appeals |
Chapter IV | Powers And Procedure |
19 | Power to demand production of license, 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. |
Chapter V | Offences And Penalties |
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 license or rule |
31 | Punishment for subsequent offences |
32 | Power to confiscate |
33 | Offence by companies |
Chapter VI | Miscellaneous |
34 | Sanction of the 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 |