Arms Smuggling — Legal Reforms

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019	2019	This amendment significantly tightened the Arms Act, 1959, reducing the number of licensed firearms an individual can possess from three to one. It also increased the minimum punishment for various offenses, including illicit manufacturing, sale, and possession of prohibited arms, with imprisonment terms extending up to life.	Aimed at curbing the proliferation of illegal firearms and reducing gun violence. The enhanced penalties serve as a stronger deterrent against arms smuggling and related offenses, making it harder for individuals to accumulate multiple weapons, which could potentially find their way into the black market.
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2019	2019	This amendment empowered the government to designate individuals as terrorists, not just organizations. It also expanded the powers of the NIA to investigate terror cases, including those involving arms, across states without prior permission from state governments, and allowed for seizure of property linked to terrorism.	Strengthened the legal framework to combat terrorism and its financing, including arms procurement. By designating individuals as terrorists, it allows for more targeted action against key actors in arms smuggling networks with terror links. Enhanced NIA powers improve the efficiency of investigations into complex, multi-state arms trafficking cases.