Section 27 Arms Act
Definition
The use offence under the Arms Act 1959: using a firearm for an unlawful purpose. Minimum sentence seven years' imprisonment, extendable to life where the use causes injury, following the 2003 amendment upheld in Gulzar v. State of Punjab 2010.
- Statute
- Arms Act 1959, s.27
- Offence
- Using firearm for unlawful purpose
- Min sentence
- Seven years' imprisonment
- Key case
- Gulzar v. State of Punjab, 2010
Common questions
How does Section 27 Arms Act differ from the possession offence under Section 25?+
Section 27 requires actual use of the firearm for an unlawful purpose, not merely unlicensed possession, and correspondingly carries a far harsher mandatory minimum of seven years compared with Section 25's lower maximum for possession alone.
What effect did the 2003 amendment have on Section 27 sentencing?+
It restructured the provision to impose a mandatory minimum of seven years' imprisonment for unlawful use, extendable to life imprisonment where the use of the firearm causes injury to any person.
Why is Gulzar v. State of Punjab significant to Section 27?+
The case upheld the constitutionality and application of the amended, more stringent sentencing structure under Section 27, confirming courts' approach to mandatory minimums for firearm-related injury offences.
Related terms
- Arms Rules 2016
- The subordinate legislation notified under the Arms Act 1959, replacing the Arms Rules 1962. Introduced a maximum of two firearms and 100...
- BNS 2023 § 117
- Section 117 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, covering rash and negligent acts that endanger life or personal safety. Section 117(2) applies...
- BNS 2023 § 304
- Section 304 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, covering culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Part I (intention to cause death or...
- National Database of Arms Licences (NDAL)
- The centralised digital registry of civilian arms licences introduced by the Arms Rules 2016, maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Enables...
- Non-Prohibited Bore (NPB)
- The category under the Arms Act 1959 covering firearms that a civilian may hold under a district-level licence. Common Indian NPB weapons...
- Prohibited Bore (PB)
- The category under the Arms Act 1959 covering firearms of bore exceeding .46 inch, weapons capable of automatic fire, and other items...
- Section 25 Arms Act
- The principal possession offence under the Arms Act 1959: acquiring, possessing, or carrying a firearm or ammunition without a licence. Maximum sentence...