Jammu & Kashmir High Court Upholds Arms Licence Cancellation Over Threat to Officials, Cites Public Safety

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that holding an arms licence is not a fundamental right and that public safety prevails over an individual’s privilege to carry firearms.

The Court upheld the cancellation of DDC member Wajid Bashir Khan’s arms licence for allegedly brandishing his licensed pistol to threaten government officers during an anti-encroachment drive.

The Court said Section 17(3)(b) of the Arms Act allows revocation to protect public peace and safety, and a prior hearing is not mandatory in urgent threats.

Considering the petitioner’s criminal history, it found the authorities acted lawfully and dismissed the writ petition.