Animal rights body lauds MHA’s new rule regulating air weapons

New Delhi, Sep 5 (PTI) Lauding the Home Ministry’sdirective which makes it mandatory for people to obtainlicence for buying air rifles and air guns, an animal rightsbody today said the move will stop "misuse" of such weapons inkilling of animals. "We thank the Ministry of Home Affairs for pro-activelylicensing and regulating air weapons which are also misusedfor senseless killing of animals. "Animals and birds suffer much abuse and torture on aregular basis at the hands of shooters and thugs wieldingthese dangerous guns," said Gauri Maulekhi, trustee of PeopleFor Animals (PFA). According to PFA, the Home Ministry has issued anotification on new Arms Rules, making it mandatory for allpeople to obtain licence for buying or keeping and sale of allair weapons, including air rifles, air guns and paintballmarkers. Also, according to the notification, licence will also berequired for any air rifle generating more than 20 joules ofenergy, it said. PFA had campaigned for the regulation as in several casesanimals had been targeted by air guns. PTI TDS KISKIS