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Amid Surge in Celebratory Firing Deaths, Social Media Glorification and Wedding Shootouts Under Scanner, Crackdown Impacts Gun Trade Across Major Cities
Chandigarh: Alarmed by the rising menace of gun culture and deaths caused by celebratory firing at weddings and social functions, the Punjab Police have recommended the cancellation of over 7,000 arms licences to the state government. The move comes as part of a broader crackdown on the misuse of licensed firearms and their growing glorification on social media platforms.
Special Director General of Police Arpit Shukla said licence-holders were found indulging in activities such as brandishing weapons online, indulging in celebratory firing at public events, and using weapons in criminal activities. “No case of random or celebratory firing goes unchecked. After investigation, the licensed arms-holder loses the right to carry a weapon,” he asserted.
Punjab’s gun culture has repeatedly come under scrutiny following a series of high-profile killings, including the 2021 murder of Youth Akali Dal leader Vicky Middukhera in Mohali and the 2022 killing of singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala. Earlier this year, a guest was killed during celebratory firing at the wedding of a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) in Goraya, leading to the booking of six people under charges related to culpable homicide and the Arms Act.
Over the past one-and-a-half years, Punjab Police have run a special monitoring campaign to track social media content that promotes gun culture through photos, videos, songs, and couplets. In March 2023 alone, 803 arms licences were cancelled as part of the enforcement drive.
Special DGP Shukla expressed concern over the popularity of gangster-inspired songs that showcase shooters firing multiple weapons, describing it as a dangerous trend influencing youth behaviour.
Punjab has around 3.46 lakh licensed gun holders owning more than 4.3 lakh registered weapons. Despite housing just 2 per cent of India’s population, the state accounts for nearly 10 per cent of the country’s licensed firearms, making it one of the most heavily armed civilian regions in the country.
Meanwhile, the police crackdown has severely impacted the traditional gun trade across Punjab. Gun house owners in Amritsar’s Cooper Road, Ludhiana and other cities report steep business losses. Traders claim they have not seen new licence customers for nearly 10 months, forcing several shops to shift to selling air rifles instead.
According to industry representatives, over 700 arms licence applications are pending in Amritsar alone, while only half of Ludhiana’s 19 gun stores are currently operational. Traders argue that less than 1 per cent of licensed weapons are used in crimes, with illegal arms being the primary contributor to gun violence.
