Punjab relaxes license norms for shooters to get their weapons

The Punjab government today relaxed norms for shooters, who have made a mark in national and international championships, to get license for their weapons to be used in shooting events.
An official spokesman said that the government wanted to nurture shooting talent in the state as a number of professional marksmen from Punjab have won gold, silver and bronze medal in Olympics, Commonwealth Games and other prestigious championships.
"The Punjab government has directed all Deputy Commissioners and Police Commissioners of Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana to enter the weapons in licenses of shooters as per amendments in Section 3(2) and section 9 (1) (A) (i) of Arms Act, 1959 mentioned in a Government of India notification dated 04-08-2014 after compliance of conditions and required documents and their thorough verification," the spokesman said.

"Besides this, details of weapon licenses of all categories of shooters shall be put on the official websites of Union Youth Affairs & Sports Ministry and National Rifle Association of India," the spokesman added.
Shooters from Punjab who have made the state proud include Abhinav Bindra, Manavjit Singh Sandhu, Ronjon Sodhi, Heena Sidhu, Avneet Kaur Sidhu among others.