This article has been written by Neha Mallik, from Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, affiliated to Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. This article gives an insight into setting-up shooting ranges in India. This article will answer the questions pertaining to licenses, rules, and regulations related to firearms and owning and operating a shooting range.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Everyone knows that shooting as a sport has gained popularity over a period of time and has also become a profitable source of business for many, keeping the controversies aside. If you are considering opening a shooting range you must be aware of the legalities, pros, and cons related to it as well. Shooting sport is exciting but one of the most dangerous sports for which it is subjected to various strict rules and regulations. Any individual dealing with firearms must have a license from an authorized organization and be aware of the laws related to it. The Indian Arms Act,1959 along with Arm Rules 1962 and Arms Rules 2016 prescribe the provisions as to how an individual sets up a shooting range. Before diving straight into the procedures and it’s intricacies, let’s talk about the types of shooting ranges, their advantages, and drawbacks.
Type of shooting range
Indoor shooting range
As the name is suggesting, indoor shooting ranges are inside the premises and it can be built at a place where the zoning laws allow. Shooting ranges are required to maintain some safety norms and environmental concerns including noise pollution, and it is comparatively easier for the indoor shooting range to meet those requirements.
Benefits
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Can be built near high traffic areas
Indoor shooting ranges can be built or located in high traffic areas as it is inside the building. The shooters and members do not get disturbed by outside noise and can give full concentration to shooting.
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Noise can be controlled
The noise controlled systems are installed inside the shooting range in order to prevent noise pollution.
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Shooters can practice in any season or weather
This is a well-known fact that in an indoor shooting range, the shooters can practice even in harsh weather without any trouble.
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More accessible
As the indoor shooting ranges can be located anywhere and can be built near the society, malls, complexes, it is more convenient to access it, that eventually leads to the promotion of shooting sport and finally increasing profits.
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Facilitates lead management
Shooting sports lead to many environmental concerns. One of such is lead contamination. The owners or operators of shooting ranges are required to follow strict guidelines for lead management. Failure of which may lead to the closure of the range or heavy penalty. The indoor shooting range provides for better lead management facilities as compared to the outdoor ranges.
Drawbacks
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Ventilation
The indoor shooting ranges suffer from ventilation which is why they need high-quality air-filtering systems to keep shooters and members safe. These systems help in preventing lead poisoning.
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Limited space
Space is one of the drawbacks of setting-up an indoor shooting range. Indoor ranges are not suitable for field training or other such activities.
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Gun restrictions
Only a limited number of guns are allowed to be used in the indoor shooting ranges. The guns that are listed or allowed under the Act can be used in the shooting range. Any contraventions can lead to heavy penalties.
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Zoning restrictions
There are multiple restrictions in opening an indoor shooting range as it cannot be set-up anywhere.
Outdoor shooting range
Outdoor shooting ranges are preferred by many shooters as it provides a more realistic environment, natural settings and abundant grounds. It requires a larger area as compared to the indoor shooting range. It is generally located in remote areas because of which shooters have to travel longer. This apart, outdoor shooting ranges may cause threat to the community and environment and faces more lawsuits as compared to the indoor ranges
Benefits
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Open-air
The shooters can practice in open grounds with many lanes.
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Mobility
It provides more mobility as the shooter can move freely between the areas.
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Realistic environment
It provides a realistic environment to the shooters and guests as well which is more engaging and exciting.
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Reduced cost
These ranges are typically less expensive and environmentally friendly.
Drawbacks
- Lead contamination
Shooting sport causes lead contamination. It is difficult to manage lead contamination in outdoor ranges which is a serious issue.
- Remote location requirement
Outdoor shooting ranges are mostly located in remote areas for safety and environmental concerns.
Reasons behind people wanting to build shooting ranges
Before providing licenses for setting up a shooting range, the authority must have a clear understanding of the objectives that are to be achieved and the benefits that would come from having a shooting range. The primary reasons may include the following reasons:
Sport development in society
No doubt, sports can help you achieve your fitness goals and plays an important role in a person’s life. According to research, sport is one of the great ways to improve the lifestyles of people. Active participation in sports would help the community to be physically fitter, healthier, and also mentally strong. Shooting is one challenging Olympic sport that increases core strength, stamina, self-control, gross-motor skills, and whatnot.
Training
Developing athletes who could qualify to participate in national and international competitions is a priority for sports ministries of almost every country. The authorities usually grant permission to set-up a shooting range if they think that the owner can maintain the international class facilities and provide a place where the athletes can train and compete.
Hosting events and tournaments
It is a matter of prestige for many cities and nations to host national and international sports competitions and events. The places where such events take place acquires recognition and popularity.
Venue for competition
The competitions in shooting sports are subjected to zoning laws that can not take place everywhere. A shooting range that meets all the safety standards provides a venue for competition and also promotes participation of youth. The members can easily compete within themselves and with other shooters across the country.
Profit-making
Owning and operating a shooting range is one of the most profitable business sources in the world. Huge number of participants take part in the national and international sports events which leads to high economic profit to that region.
Provisions relating to obtaining license
In order to obtain a license to set up a shooting range, one must be aware of the gun control laws of the local municipality, country, or state. In India, the law on firearms is governed by the Indian Arms Act,1959 which is responsible for the regulation and providing the guidelines for keeping arms and ammunition.
As per the Arms Rule 38, a licence must be granted by the State Governments or District Magistrate having the local jurisdiction over the area.
Section 37 of Arms Rules talks about the license for shooting association. It states that the Sport Shooting Association or any shooting range affiliated to the respective State Rifle Association or National Rifle Association of India can apply for a license to acquire and possess arms and ammunition in Form V
The obligation of the licensing authorities to grant the license for the permissible category of arms and ammunition is stated under Rule 20(3) of the Arms Rules, 2016. It states that license would be granted to shooting clubs or a rifle association who wants to pursue sport shooting for target practice in a structured learning process.
It is also stated that application would be considered on the basis of a police report or on the discretion of the licensing authorities.
Further, as per Rule 38, a private shooting range owner must meet the technical and security standards as specified by the Central Government.
Rule 38 also provides that the owner or operator must have adequate financial arrangements to meet any injury or damage claims for the third party insurances or other such requirements.
A regular inspection must be conducted by the National Rifle Association of India or State Sports Authority to ensure that there is strict adherence or the safety standards and other norms.
Documents to be furnished with the application for grant of a license
- The memorandum and Articles of association of the shooting range/club
- The Membership rules of the shooting range/club
- The names of office bearers and permanent members
- Particulars of the shooting range for training and target practice
- Details of the certified trainers
- Details of the training activities that will be undertaken for promoting and encouraging the shooting sport
- Details of the events and tournaments conducted,
- Details of safe storage of arms and ammunition as specified under Rule 10 or the Arms Rule 2016,
- A complete list of all the arms and ammunition consumed or held by the club and its members.
Things to be kept in mind by the owner of the shooting range
- The owner or operator of the shooting range must be financially capable to make arrangements to meet claims for injuries or damages. The ranges owned and operated by the military, Central Armed Police Forces, and State Police Departments are the exceptions as they cover their risks according to their internal guidelines.
- Safety and technical standards must be strictly adhered.
- The shooting range must possess the quantity of arms and ammunition as per the rules stated under The Arms Rule, 2016, contraventions of which lead to strict actions.
- The shooting range is also required to maintain inventory records for the usage and consumption of arms and ammunition by the registered members.
- The shooting range must have proper set-ups to prevent environmental concerns including noise and air pollution due to lead contamination.
Authorities to grant the license
Before the new Arms Rule came into force, the power to grant of the license was vested by the State Government of the District Magistrate but later, the Central Government is now responsible for the issuing of licenses required to set up the shooting range which is subjected to various terms and conditions and valid only for the specified time period. After the expiry, these licenses need to be renewed by the authorities.
Expiry and renewal of licence
The Arms Act 1959, specifies that the firearms licences will be generally valid for three years, and after the expiry, it should be renewed by either District Magistrate or by the respective State Governments by furnishing the required documents such as:
- Original shooting range license
- Identity proof
- Proof of the address of the shooting range
- Other required documents
Provisions regarding suspension or revocation or licence
The licensing authority has the power to suspend the shooting range license either temporary or cancel the license as it deems fit to them on the following grounds-
- If the authority believes that the owner or operator of a shooting range is prohibited from dealing with firearms or prohibited by any other law to possess or acquire arms and ammunition.
- If there is any contravention related to safety or health standards prescribed by the Arms Rules 2016;
- When the license gets expired;
- The authority can also revoke the license on the application of the licence holder.
- If the licence holder fails to comply with any condition for which the licence was granted.
- Any other reason specified by the relevant law.
- The court having jurisdiction may exercise its power to suspend or revoke the license.
It must be noted that while suspending the license the licensing authority should record the reasons for doing so unless the authority believes the contrary. Further, the license holder on revocation or suspension of the licence must surrender the licence immediately to the authority and must not conduct any activity in the shooting range.
Conclusion
The process of obtaining a licence to set-up a shooting range is stringent and rigid as it deals with firearms. Having said that an individual intending to open or operate a shooting can get a license easily if he meets the necessary requirements and strictly adheres to all rules and regulations related to it. It must be concluded that India has one of the strictest gun laws in the world. India’s firearms law allows citizens to own and carry guns but ironically, Sometimes it takes years to obtain licences. There are various developments related to gun laws in the recent past that has become a subject of debate.
References
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