Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Karnataka Sets November 1 Deadline for Unlicensed Firearms
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar told people to hand over unlicensed guns and other illegal weapons by November 1.
He said people who surrender them voluntarily will not have cases registered against them.
People who keep the weapons after the deadline may be traced and face action.
He advised people who need guns to protect themselves or their animals to obtain licences.
The government is considering allowances for forest and police personnel.
Shivakumar asked forest officials to cooperate more closely with people living near forests.
He also urged officials to make the Tegada Siri teak-growing scheme successful.
Under that scheme, participating farmers would receive 70 percent of the value of harvested trees.
Tree parks will also be developed on Forest Department land in Bengaluru, while lawmakers will discuss drought and the Western Ghats report from September 21 to 23.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar ordered people to surrender unlicensed firearms and illegal weapons by November 1.
People who voluntarily surrender such weapons will not have cases registered against them, he said.
Those retaining firearms after the deadline will be traced and face stringent action.
Shivakumar said firearm licences would be liberalised for people protecting themselves or their animals.
He also announced forest-related measures and a September 21–23 Assembly session on drought and the Western Ghats report.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, people possessing unlicensed firearms, and forest and police officials.
- What
- Shivakumar announced a November 1 deadline for surrendering unlicensed firearms and outlined forest, licensing, and legislative measures.
- When
- The surrender deadline is November 1; the Legislative Assembly session is scheduled for September 21 to 23.
- Where
- The announcements were made in Bengaluru at the National Forest Martyrs' Day programme at Aranya Bhavan in Malleswaram.
- Why
- The measures aim to address illegal firearm possession, support personnel protecting forests, improve forest-community relations, and discuss drought and the Western Ghats report.
- Surrender deadline
- Unlicensed firearms and illegal weapons must be surrendered by November 1.
- Voluntary surrender
- No cases will be registered against people who voluntarily surrender illegal weapons.
- Post-deadline action
- People retaining such firearms after November 1 may be traced and face stringent action.
- Firearm licences
- Licences will be liberalised for people seeking protection for themselves or their animals.
- Personnel allowances
- The government will discuss allowances for Forest Department and police personnel with the Finance Department.
- Tegada Siri scheme
- Farmers will receive 70 percent of the value of harvested teak, while the government will receive 30 percent.
- Assembly session
- A three-day Legislative Assembly session will be held from September 21 to 23 to discuss drought and the Kasturirangan report.
