People having licensed firearms to surrender weapons in view of upcoming elections

Law and order should be maintained during the local body elections in Vadodara city and voters should be able to cast their votes freely and fearlessly. To ensure this this, as per the notification issued by the Commissioner of Police, Dr. Shamsher Singh, all the firearms licensees have to submit their weapons.

Apart from the licenses issued by Police Commissioner, it will also apply to every firearms licensee who has obtained a license from any other firearms licensing authority. Also, this notification will be applicable to all firearms licensees who visit the area covered by Vadodara City Police.

Licensees will not be able to hand over weapons for two months or until the completion of the election process, even if the licensees will do so during the arms sale period. No separate order will be required to get the deposited weapon after 26th February 2021. Weapons licensed in the name of banks, corporations, government, semi-government organizations, local self-governing bodies in the Vadodara city area and sports persons participating in state, national or international level shooting competitions are exempted from submitting their licensed weapons. But licensed firearms issued in those personal names will not be exempt from this order.

Gunmen of recognized security agencies or armed security guards who transact any type of bank, ATM and currency-check are exempted from depositing their weapons. They have to keep the certificate of the concerned bank manager with him along with his photograph as a security guard in the bank. The manager of the concerned bank should report the details of such security guard to the police station, the concerned police station should check as per the rules in this regard. Central and state government officials and employees are allowed to carry weapons as per law and the notification will not apply if they are on election duty.

The notification also not apply to those having special permission given by the Commissioner of Police. Weapons licensees must submit licensed firearms to the relevant police station. It is not necessary to deposit the cartridge-ammunition of the weapon. Those who do not comply with the order will be prosecuted under the law including Arms Act-1959.