Lauding the Home Ministry's directive which makes it mandatory for people to obtain licence for buying air rifles and air guns, an animal rights body today said the move will stop "misuse" of such weapons in killing of animals.
"We thank the Ministry of Home Affairs for pro-actively licensing and regulating air weapons which are also misused for senseless killing of animals.
"Animals and birds suffer much abuse and torture on a regular basis at the hands of shooters and thugs wielding these dangerous guns," said Gauri Maulekhi, trustee of People For Animals (PFA).
According to PFA, the Home Ministry has issued a notification on new Arms Rules, making it mandatory for all people to obtain licence for buying or keeping and sale of all air weapons, including air rifles, air guns and paintball markers.
Also, according to the notification, licence will also be required for any air rifle generating more than 20 joules of energy, it said.
PFA had campaigned for the regulation as in several cases animals had been targeted by air guns.
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