No arms licence �without training�

According to the draft Arms Policy 2016, people paying at least Tk 5 lakh annually in income tax will be eligible for obtaining an arms licence

Nobody would be able to get an arms licence without training from the authorities, according to the draft of the Arms Policy of 2016, which is currently being amended by the home ministry, said sources in the ministry.
Those who would be selected to get arms licences — to maintain, operate and use arms—would receive training from the police range or shooting federation, they added.
Under the existing arms policy, persons who are entitled to possess arms licences are not required to undergo training. That is why, the sources pointed out, most of the licensed holders do not procure arms after getting their licences.
After the arms policy is amended, all the licence holders—both old and new—have to receive training from the authorities, the sources said. At the same time, those licensed arms holders who have procured arms were not using their arms properly as they lack training, they added.
According to the new draft arms policy, persons who are entitled to possess an arms licence would be required to pay at least Tk 5 lakh annually in income taxes. They would also have to show their income tax certificates for the previous three years.
Currently, all those who have paid Tk. 3 lakh income tax annually for the previous three years are entitled to arms licences.
In the draft amendment of the arms policy, some other provisions to obtain an arms licence have also been proposed, the sources said.
Under the new provisions, instead of owners, only organisations—including financial institutions, readymade garment factories and educational institutions—would be allowed to obtain firearm licences. Each organisation should have paid-up capital of Tk. 10 crore.

Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told The Independent that the government is amending the existing arms policy with the aim to curb the rapid proliferation of arms licences. “People who will receive arms licences require training for their personal safety,” he explained.
“We are preparing the draft of the arms policy by consulting the authorities concerned, but it is yet to be finalised,” he added.
A joint secretary in the home ministry told this correspondent that there is a recommendation that nobody should get an arms licence without arms training, and the recommendation is likely to be included in the amended arms policy.
“At a meeting recently, the divisional commissioners advised that the income tax ceiling be raised from Tk. 3 lakh to Tk. 5 lakh annually to discourage random issuance of arms licences,” he said, adding, “We are considering it.”
Sources said there were proposals from some quarters to abolish the special provision to issue arms licences in order to preclude its abuse. “But it may not be possible to finally implement it in certain areas, such as among the vice chancellors of public universities, and there is also political pressure,” they added.
Currently, a person who is at least 25 years old and has paid Tk. 3 lakh in income taxes annually for the previous three years can apply to the relevant deputy commissioner for obtaining an arms license.

No arms licence �without training�

According to the draft Arms Policy 2016, people paying at least Tk 5 lakh annually in income tax will be eligible for obtaining an arms licence

Nobody would be able to get an arms licence without training from the authorities, according to the draft of the Arms Policy of 2016, which is currently being amended by the home ministry, said sources in the ministry. Those who would be selected to get arms licences to maintain, operate and use armswould receive training from the police range or shooting federation, they added. Under the existing arms policy, persons who are entitled to possess arms licences are not required to undergo training. That is why, the sources pointed out, most of the licensed holders do not procure arms after getting their licences. After the arms policy is amended, all the licence holdersboth old and newhave to receive training from the authorities, the sources said. At the same time, those licensed arms holders who have procured arms were not using their arms properly as they lack training, they added. According to the new draft arms policy, persons who are entitled to possess an arms licence would be required to pay at least Tk 5 lakh annually in income taxes. They would also have to show their income tax certificates for the previous three years. Currently, all those who have paid Tk. 3 lakh income tax annually for the previous three years are entitled to arms licences. In the draft amendment of the arms policy, some other provisions to obtain an arms licence have also been proposed, the sources said. Under the new provisions, instead of owners, only organisationsincluding financial institutions, readymade garment factories and educational institutionswould be allowed to obtain firearm licences. Each organisation should have paid-up capital of Tk. 10 crore. Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told The Independent that the government is amending the existing arms policy with the aim to curb the rapid proliferation of arms licences. People who will receive arms licences require training for their personal safety, he explained. We are preparing the draft of the arms policy by consulting the authorities concerned, but it is yet to be finalised, he added. A joint secretary in the home ministry told this correspondent that there is a recommendation that nobody should get an arms licence without arms training, and the recommendation is likely to be included in the amended arms policy. At a meeting recently, the divisional commissioners advised that the income tax ceiling be raised from Tk. 3 lakh to Tk. 5 lakh annually to discourage random issuance of arms licences, he said, adding, We are considering it. Sources said there were proposals from some quarters to abolish the special provision to issue arms licences in order to preclude its abuse. But it may not be possible to finally implement it in certain areas, such as among the vice chancellors of public universities, and there is also political pressure, they added. Currently, a person who is at least 25 years old and has paid Tk. 3 lakh in income taxes annually for the previous three years can apply to the relevant deputy commissioner for obtaining an arms license.