Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Even as a 23-year-old BBA student in Bhopal is currently undergoing treatment for an airgun pellet injury on her chest at a private hospital in Berasia, authorities have yet to check the unregulated sale of airguns and pistols in the city.

The incident highlights the issue of these dangerous weapons being sold openly at Jumerati Bazaar in the old city. With no license required for ownership, airguns and pistols have become increasingly popular among youths for target practice and bird shooting as a pastime. Their unauthorised sale poses a threat as stray pellets fired by any amateur may prove fatal.

Besides, the vendors engaged in selling these airguns at Jumerati Bazaar do not seek any identification documents from buyers. An owner of an authorised gun store in the old city claimed that air rifles and pistols of .177 calibres are legal and being sold to people only after taking their proper identification documents. Moreover, the customers are given a bill on purchase of the airguns. The sale of airguns exceeding .177 calibres is banned, he added.

While the owners of authorised gun stores are taking all valid ID documents from buyers, however, their sellers at Jumerati Bazaar are not complying with the rules. One can see small air pistols, big air rifles of different make and designs on display at some shops at Jumerati Bazaar. Some of the air rifles are even fitted with telescopes for better aiming of the target.  

Air pistols available at Rs 1000 and more

A reality check revealed that air pistols are available at price between Rs 1000 and 4000 or more. The cost of air rifles is higher and the one fitted with a telescope can be fetched at Rs 10000 and 12000 depending on bargain. The pellets are also being sold at shops which also sell other hardware. When asked, a shopkeeper claimed that the airguns of only legal calibre were being sold by them.  

Drive to be launched

Commissioner of Police Bhopal, Harinarayanchari Mishra, stated that a drive would be launched to check whether airguns sold at the shops comply with legal calibre regulation. It will also be verified if sellers are authorised to sell airguns and whether they are collecting proper identification documents from customers, he added.