Act 54 of 1959

The Arms Act, 1959

An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to arms and ammunition.

  • Ministry of Home Affairs
  • Department of Internal Security
  • Enacted 1959-12-23
  • 48 sections
SectionTitle
1 Short title, extent and commencement. Read
2 Definitions and interpretation. Read
3 Licence for acquisition and possession of firearms and ammunition. Read
4 Licence for acquisition and possession of arms of specified description in certain cases. Read
5 Licence for manufacture, sale, etc., of arms and ammunition. Read
6 Licence for the shortening of guns or conversion of imitation firearms into firearms. Read
7 Prohibition of acquisition or possession, or of manufacture or sale of prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition. Read
8 Prohibition of sale or transfer of firearms not bearing identification marks. Read
9 Prohibition of acquisition or possession by, or of sale or transfer to, young persons and certain other persons of firearms, etc. Read
10 Licence for import and export of arms, etc. Read
11 Power to prohibit import or export of arms, etc. Read
12 Power to restrict or prohibit transport of arms. Read
13 Grant of licences. Read
14 Refusal of licences. Read
15 Duration and renewal of licence. Read
16 Fees, etc., for licence. Read
17 Variation, suspension and revocation of licences. Read
18 Appeals. Read
19 Powers to demand production of licence, etc.Read
20 Arrest of persons conveying arms, etc., under suspicious circumstances. Read
21 Deposit of arms, etc., on possession ceasing to be lawful. Read
22 Search and seizure by magistrate. Read
23 Search of vessels, vehicles for arms, etc. Read
24 Seizure and detention under orders of the Central Government. Read
24A Prohibition as to possession of notified arms in disturbed areas, etc. Read
24B Prohibition as to carrying of notified arms in or through public places in disturbed areas etc. Read
25 Punishment for certain offences. Read
26 Secret contraventions. Read
27 Punishment for using arms, etc. Read
28 Punishment for use and possession of firearms or imitation firearms in certain cases. Read
29 Punishment for knowingly purchasing arms, etc., from unlicensed person or for delivering arms, etc., to person not entitled to possess the same. Read
30 Punishment for contravention of licence or rule. Read
31 Punishment for subsequent offences. Read
32 Power to confiscate. Read
33 Offences by companies. Read
34 Sanction of Central Government for warehousing of arms. Read
35 Criminal responsibility of persons in occupation of premises in certain cases. Read
36 Information to be given regarding certain offences. Read
37 Arrest and searches. Read
38 Offences to be cognizable. Read
39 Previous sanction of the district magistrate necessary in certain cases. Read
40 Protection of action taken in good faith. Read
41 Power to exempt. Read
42 Power to take census of firearms. Read
43 Power to delegate. Read
44 Power to make rules. Read
45 Act not to apply in certain cases. Read
46 Repeal of Act 11 of 1878. Read
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