India: Now, common citizens look for small arms

[308Mike]

Linkarooni

Now, common citizens look for small arms
7 Dec 2008, 0000 hrs IST
Raja Awasthi & Shantanu Nandan Sharma, ET Bureau

NEW DELHI: The gruesome images of gunmen roaming the streets of Mumbai with submachine guns and spraying bullets on innocent people have evoked the most basic instinct in the people of our cities — that of primal fear. Perhaps no wonder then that the doyen of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan is now sleeping with a gun under his pillow and created quite a stir at Mumbai airport yesterday when he tried to board a domestic flight with a gun in his hand baggage. And like Big B, many other urban dwellers in India, too, are either cleaning their guns and keeping them ready for use or trying to buy licensed revolvers after the terror trauma in Mumbai.

Private arms retailers, who are allowed to sell small arms, including revolvers and pistols to valid licence holders, have received many more enquiries from common citizens in the last few days. Indian citizens, of course, do not have the freedom to just go out and buy their dream guns such as the latest custom engraved Smith & Wesson Model 22 that is selling in the US for $7,500 or other popular models such as Alaska Backpacker, C2-75 or RugerSR9. In fact, there is no fresh supply of guns in the market because of the restrictive policy and ban on imports and private dealers mostly trade in second hand weapons.

More of this story..............

[mekender]

im showing S&W Mod 22's for about $800... perhaps there is a resale market somewhere?

[Combat Controller]

Custom Engraved?

LOL, Good for them, I lived in India for a while, and the people there are very lovely. Most would like a US style constitution too! I think it is a good sign that the worm is turning.

[Whirlibird]

im showing S&W Mod 22's for about $800... perhaps there is a resale market somewhere?

Nope, no imports.
Must be local made.
Most are sold by a gov't agency used.
@$1400+USD for a pos .32 auto with a spare mag.

Time to open a plant there.

Currently, a 0.32 pistol, including a spare magazine, costs Rs 70,000 at the outlet of gun and shell factory at Cossipore in Kolkata. A 0.22 revolver is being sold at Ishapore rifle factory in West Bengal for Rs 40,000. All these outlets come directly under the Indian Ordnance Factories.


We won't even mention the normal waiting period such that it is.