Power to restrict or prohibit transport of arms
Section 12 of the Arms Act, 1959 deals with power to restrict or prohibit transport of arms. The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, (a) direct that no person shall transport over India or any part thereof arms or ammunition of such classes and descriptions as may be specified in the notification unless he holds in this behalf a licence issued in accordance with The Act came into force on 01 Oct 1962.
(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
(a) direct that no person shall transport over India or any part thereof arms or ammunition of such classes and descriptions as may be specified in the notification unless he holds in this behalf a licence issued in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder; or
(b) prohibit such transport altogether.
(2) Arms or ammunition trans-hipped at a seaport or an airport in India are transported within the meaning of this section.
Section 12, The Arms Act, 1959 (Act 54 of 1959).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Made under this section, and citing it
3 instruments state that it was made under this provision — the power to make it comes from here, so a change to any of them changes what this section requires in practice. Newest first.
Questions about Section 12
What does Section 12 of the Arms Act deal with?
Section 12 of the Arms Act is headed "Power to restrict or prohibit transport of arms". The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, (a) direct that no person shall transport over India or any part thereof arms or ammunition of such classes and descriptions as may be specified in the notification unless he holds in this behalf a licence issued in accordance with
How do I find court cases under Section 12 of the Arms Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Arms Act 12, section 12 Arms Act, section 12 of the Arms Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
What should I read with Section 12 of the Arms Act, and has it changed?
3 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it. The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there are 3: most recently Arms Rules, 2016 (2016), then G.S.R. 701(E) dated 15/07/2019 on Arms Rules 2016 (2016), and 1 more.
When did Section 12 of the Arms Act come into force?
Section 12 of the Arms Act, cited as Arms Act 12, came into force on 01 Oct 1962, having been enacted on 23 Dec 1959. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 25. Punishment for certain offences1755 words
- 2. Definitions and interpretation734 words
- 44. Power to make rules681 words
- 24A. Prohibition as to possession of notified arms in disturbed areas, etc618 words
- 17. Variation, suspension and revocation of licences579 words
- 24B. Prohibition as to carrying of notified arms in or through public places in disturbed areas etc560 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 17 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.