By Ashish Kurl
Bhopal: In Madhya Pradesh, possession of a revolver or pistol has long been seen as a status symbol, particularly among younger generations aspiring to prestige and influence. Yet, the state government under Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has introduced sweeping restrictions that have brought this practice to a near halt. Over the past 21 months, a mere two firearm licences have been issued, underscoring the administration’s hard-line approach.
Government sources indicate that Dr Yadav, who also serves as Home Minister, has made it clear that weapons will not be sanctioned for vanity purposes. Applications are now being entertained solely on grounds of genuine self-defence, and even then only after exhaustive verification procedures. In effect, the process has been frozen, with old applications returned and instructions sent to district authorities to avoid forwarding new requests.
Officials further revealed that licences for rifles and 12-bore guns—traditionally recommended by district collectors—will also face heightened scrutiny in the months ahead. The move represents a sharp departure from previous years, when approvals were more liberal, particularly in firearm-prone districts such as Gwalior, Bhind, and Morena, where political patronage often shaped outcomes.
According to official data, Madhya Pradesh currently records 2.84 lakh licensed firearms. Gwalior leads with over 34,000 permits, followed by Morena with 29,650 and Bhind with 26,650. In the state capital Bhopal, 9,974 licensed weapons are registered, with 9,485 belonging to men and 375 to women. The number of fresh licences issued in Bhopal has seen modest fluctuations in recent years: 278 in 2023, 233 in 2022, 194 in 2021, 166 in 2020, and 157 in 2019.
India’s regulatory framework is governed by the Arms Act of 1959, which permits only non-prohibited bore (NPB) weapons for civilian use. The application process is rigorous, beginning with submissions to the collectorate, followed by police checks at the district superintendent’s office and local police stations. Files then pass through the additional district magistrate and finally to the district collector, who may approve licences for shotguns and rifles.
However, when it comes to revolvers and pistols, the path is far more restrictive. Applications require not only a collector’s endorsement but also approval from the divisional commissioner before reaching the state Home Department. The final authority rests with the Home Minister himself. Under Dr Yadav’s orders, this approval process has now been indefinitely stalled, signalling the government’s determination to curb gun culture in the state.
