Panaji: Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte on Friday managed to get assurance from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to immediately review the controversial notification, which was harassing Gun Licence holders.
Sawant assured on the floor of the House to keep in abeyance, the rule, which mandated that the gun licence holder to undergo Firearm Safety Training while renewing their licences.
Khaunte pointed out that there is anxiety and apprehension in the people of the state due to unwarranted firearm safety training course mandated during Gun Licence renewals.
“Rule 24 of Arms Rule mandates the safety handling training to be undergone only for those who are applying afresh or those undergone training during issuance of their primary gun licence,” he said.
The MLA brought to the notice of the House that the people belonging to senior citizen category, farmers, Army officials and individuals holding fire arms for self defence have to also undergo safety training which was not mandatory while getting their primary licence.
“Government has to understand that everyone cannot afford to have access to sophisticated training system and afford to pay exaggerated processing fees.”
“Therefore, there is urgent need to issue guidelines and SOPs in order to put this issue in perspective. Government should immediately act on priority basis,” he added.
Khaunte said that when licence is sent for renewal, there is one category of the people from Army and defence, who have fought wars. They are asked to take training.
“Second category is of farmers. They keep arm for protection of crops. They are not privy to the online filling of forms and also fees are exhorbitant for them. But they have also been asked to get training.”
“Third category is of senior citizens, who also will have to undergo training during this Covid times.”
“There is another category about the people who have inherited the firearms.”
“And fifth category is like us, who took training while buying the gun,” he said.
Khaunte said “When we inquire with Collector South, he said that it is as per MHA guidelines. I sought to know through RTI and realized that there are no MHA guidelines.”
“Local RTI was asked about training. The magistrate claims that the information should be procured from the central government,” he said.
Khaunte said that this training if required had to happen through Police Training Academy “ Rather, There is one agency in Ponda which is told to carry out particular training,” he said.
“When we purchase guns we are told about the guns. The guns which are purchased by us, we have been trained at that time.”
Khaunte requested the CM to revisit this and ensure that it is removed.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said “we can go to police for training but this is private agency. We are at mercy of this person.”
Khaunte demanded that CM should keep this in abyenace till he studies it properly. “Renewals are due, so if they don’t do it, the guns will be considered as illegal.”