Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced a voluntary amnesty scheme allowing individuals possessing unlicensed firearms to surrender them to law enforcement authorities before November 1 without facing criminal prosecution. Speaking at a Forest Martyrs' Day event in Bengaluru alongside Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Shivakumar emphasized that the decision specifically addresses security concerns in villages situated along forest borders, where residents often acquire country-made guns for self-defence or livestock protection against wild animals.
According to the Chief Minister, state intelligence reports indicate that several forest officers have suffered casualties due to illegal weapons in fringe areas. To curb the proliferation of unverified armaments while respecting local protection needs, the state government will allow eligible individuals who hand over their weapons voluntarily to apply for legal gun licences. A joint co-ordination mechanism between the Karnataka Police Department and the Forest Department will oversee the surrender process and license evaluation.
Shivakumar warned that after the November 1 deadline expires, law enforcement agencies will launch targeted search operations based on intelligence inputs. Those found harboring unauthorized firearms after the deadline will face stringent criminal charges and seizure of weapons. The initiative draws parallels to a historic gun amnesty drive conducted in Karnataka during former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde's administration, which successfully netted thousands of illegal firearms. Public administration experts view this initiative as a proactive measure to manage rural safety, minimize human-wildlife conflict violence, and enforce strict firearm regulation across Karnataka.
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