Gun ownership is on the rise in Gujarat, with 5,204 licenses issued in the past five years. Ahmedabad leads the tally with 690, followed by Rajkot (540) and Dahod (487).
According to a media report, in the past five years, over 200 licenses have been issued in each of Surat, Surendranagar, Chhota Udepur, Morbi, Gandhinagar, Banaskantha, and Junagadh. Experts warn that the increasing number of licenses could potentially contribute to a rise in the state’s crime rate.
In Gujarat, guns are largely supplied from other states. Across India, fake gun license scams have also been exposed in the past, including in Ahmedabad.
Trigger-happy Amdavadis!
In 2024, Ahmedabad saw 98 applications for gun licenses, with 34 approved, 61 rejected, and 3 pending. For revolvers, pistols, and rifles, 161 applications were filed—37 approved, 18 rejected, and 106 still under review.
In 2023, the city received 191 applications in total. Of these, 55 were for guns (31 approved, 24 rejected) and 136 for revolvers, pistols, and rifles (49 approved, 59 rejected).
The data shows that handguns—particularly revolvers and pistols—remain the preferred choice for applicants in Ahmedabad.
Who can issue a gun license?
- The applicant must have filed income tax returns for the last three years.
- No FIR should be registered against the applicant.
- A training certificate must be provided.
- During elections or major festivals, licensed guns must be deposited at the local police station.
- After purchasing a firearm, monthly ammunition usage records must be submitted.