PUNJAB ARMS ORDINANCE, 1965

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THE PUNJAB ARMS ORDINANCE 1965 
(XX of 1965) 
CONTENTS 
CHAPTER I 
Preliminary 
1. Short title, extent and commencement. 
2. Exception. 
3. Definitions. 
CHAPTER II 
Sale and Repair 
4. Unlicensed sale , repair, manufacturing of arms and ammunition and 
running of gun shooting club prohibited. 
CHAPTER III 
Transport 
5. Power to prohibit transport. 
6. Power to establish searching posts. 
7. Arrest of persons conveying arms, etc., under suspicious 
circumstances. 
CHAPTER IV 
Going Armed and Possessing Arms, etc. 
8. Prohibition of going armed without licence. 
9. Unlicensed possession of arms, etc. 
10. In certain cases arms to be deposited at police station or with licensed 
dealers. 
CHAPTER V 
Licences 
11. Power to make rules as to licences. 
11A. Cognizance and trial of offences. 
11B. Prohibition of keeping, carrying or displaying arms. 
12. Cancellation and suspension of licences. 
CHAPTER VI 
Penalties 
13. Offences and penalties. 
14. Certain breaches of sections 4, 5, 9 and 21. 
14A. Cognizance and trial of offences. 
15. Breach of licence. 
16. Knowingly purchasing arms, etc., from unlicensed persons. 
17. Penalty for breach of rules. 
18. Penalty for failure to give information under section 23. 
19. Penalty for refusing or neglecting to produce arms. 
20. Power to confiscate. 
CHAPTER VII 
Miscellaneous 
21. Search and seizure by Magistrate. 
22. Seizure and detention by Secretary. 
23. Information be given regarding offences. 
24. Searches in the case of offences how conducted. 
25. Operation of other laws not barred. 
26. Power to take census of arms. 
27. [Omitted]. 
28. Notice and limitation of proceedings. 
29. [Omitted] 
 
 
 
 
 
TEXT 
1
THE 
2
[
3
[PUNJAB]] ARMS ORDINANCE, 1965 
(XX of 1965) 
[8 June 1965] 
An 
Ordinance 
to consolidate and amend the law relating to the sale, transport, bearing or 
possession of arms, ammunition or military stores. 
 WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate the law relating, to the sale, 
transport, bearing or possession of arms, ammunition or military stores, in the 
manner hereinafter appearing; 
 AND WHEREAS the Provincial Assembly of West Pakistan is not in sessi on 
and the Governor of West Pakistan is satisfied that circumstances exist which render 
immediate legislation necessary; 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by clause (1) 
of Article 79 of the Constitution, the Governor of West Pakis tan is pleased to make 
and promulgate the following Ordinance:– 
CHAPTER I 
Preliminary 
1. Short title, extent and commencement .– (1) This Ordinance may be called 
the 
4
[
5
[Punjab]] Arms Ordinance, 1965. 
 
6
[(2) It extends to whole of the Punjab.] 
 (3) It shall come into force at once. 
7
[2. Exception.– Nothing contained in this Ordinance shall apply to the sale, 
transport, bearing or possession of arms, ammunition or military stores by order of 
the Government or the Federal Government, or by public servant or a member of 
any of the non -regular force of the Government or the Federal Government, in the 
course of his duty as such public servant or member.] 
                                                           
1This Ordinance was promulgated by the Governor of West Pakistan on June  8, 1965 , published in the Gazette of West 
Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated July 10, 1965, pp. 3673-84 and approved by the Provincial Assembly of W est Pakistan on July 
10, 1965 under clause (3) of Article 79 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (1962). 
2Substituted for the words “West Pakistan” by the West Pakistan Arms (Amendment) Act, 1974, (XXXVIII of 1974), published in 
the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 25, 1974, pp. 191-213, s. 2(a). 
3Substituted for the word “Pakistan” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2014, (XXVIII of 2014), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated December 17, 2014, pp. 1895-1896, s. 2(a) 
4Substituted for the words “West Pakistan” by the West Pakistan Arms (Amendment) Act, 1974, (XXXVIII of 1974), published in 
the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 25, 1974, pp. 191-213, s. 2(a). 
5Substituted for the word “Pakistan” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2014, (XXVIII of 2014), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated December 17, 2014, pp. 1895-1896, s. 2(a). 
6Substituted by the Act ibid., s. 2(b). 
7Ibid., s. 3. 
3. Definitions.– (1) In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise  requires, the 
following expressions shall have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to 
them, that is to say– 
(a) “ammunition” includes– 
(i) ammunition of all types for light and heavy automatic weapons, 
revolvers, pistols, rifles, carbines, muskets and shotguns; 
(ii) ammunition constructed and modified for firing projectiles or gas 
or smoke containers; 
(iii) gun wads, gun flints, percussion -caps, fuses, friction tubes and 
detonators; 
(iv) all types of grenades, bombs, rockets, mines and fuels for flame 
throwers; 
(v) all types of explosives, fu lminating material and propellants, 
including all articles specially designed for torpedo operation 
and  depth charges; 
(vi) all parts of ammunition,  
but does not include lead, sulphur or saltpeter; 
(b) “arms” includes– 
(i) cannon; 
(ii) firearms of all ty pes, such as light and heavy automatic and 
semi-automatic weapons, rifles, carbines, muskets, shotguns 
(whether single or double barrelled), revolvers, pistols and 
appliances the object of which is the silencing of fire arms; 
1
[(iii) air pistols, bayonets, swords, sword-sticks, daggers, knives with 
blades of four inches or more (but not kitchen knives or knives 
used in good faith for the carrying on of a profession), and flick -
knives irrespective of the size of the blade;] 
(iv) knuckle-dusters, spears, spea r-heads, bows and arrows and 
parts of arms; 
(c) “cannon” includes– 
(i) all types of artillery, mortars, machine and sub-machine guns; 
(ii) silencers for all machines and sub-machine guns; 
(iii) anti-tank rifles and recoil-less guns or rifles and bazookas; 
(iv) revolvers or pistols over 46 inches bore; 
(v) nuclear weapons of all types; 
(vi) projectors, guided missiles, and dischargers for grenades, 
rockets, bombs and gas or smoke containers; 
(vii) flame throwers of all types; 
                                                           
1Substituted by the West Pakistan Arms (Amendment) Ordinance, 1969 (XI of 1969), published in the Gazette of West Pakistan 
(Extraordinary), dated July 10, 1969, pp. 1109-1110, s. 2(a). 
(viii) all carriages, platforms and appliances for mounting or 
transporting cannon; and 
(ix) parts of cannon; 
   
1
[(d) “Government” means Government of the Punjab;] 
   2[(da) “gun shooting club” means a specialized facility, comprising of          
  ranges, designed specifically to practice target shooting of non- 
  prohibited bore  arms; 
3
[(dd) “flick-knife” means a knife which has a blade which opens automatically 
by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in, or 
attached to, the handle of the knife, and includes any k nife which has a 
blade which is released from the handle or sheath thereof by the force 
of gravity or by the application of centrifugal force and which, when 
released, is locked in place by means of a button, spring lever or other 
device;] 
(e) “licence” means a licence granted under this Ordinance; 
(f) “military stores” means any stores which the 
4
[Federal Government] 
may, by notification in the official Gazette, declare to be military stores; 
(g) “rules” means rules made under this Ordinance 5[; and] 
6[(h) “Secretary” means the Secretary to the Government, Home 
Department.] 
 (2) 7[Secretary] may, by notification in the official Gazette, declare any 
article or substance not specified in clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (c) of sub -
section (1), to be, as the case may be, ammunition, arms or cannon for the purposes 
of this Ordinance, and on the publication of such notification, such article or 
substance shall be deemed to be specified in the said clause ( a) or clause ( b) or 
clause (c), as may be notified. 
                                                           
1Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2014 (XXVIII of 2014),  published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), 
dated December 17, 2014, pp. 1895-1896, s. 4, which had earlier been substituted by the West Pakistan Arms (Amendment) 
Act, 1974 (XXXVIII of 1974), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 25, 1974, pp. 191-213, s. 3. 
2Inserted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 30 
May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s. 2(a)(i). 
3Inserted by the West Pakistan Arms (Amendment) Ordinance, 1969 (XI of 1969), published in the Gazette of West Pakistan 
(Extraordinary), dated July 10, 1969, pp. 1109-1110, s. 2(b). 
4Substituted for the words “ Central Government ” by the West Pakistan  Arms (Amendment) Act , 1974  (XXXVIII of 1974), 
published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 25, 1974, pp. 191-213, s. 2(b). 
5Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 
30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s. 2(a)(ii). 
6Added by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 30 
May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s. 2(a)(iii). 
7Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 
30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s. 2(b). 
 
 
CHAPTER II 
1[Sale, Repair, Manufacturing and Running of Gun Shooting Club] 
4. 2[Unlicensed sale, repair, manufacturing of arms and ammunition and 
running of gun shooting club prohibited ].– (1) No person shall sell, or keep, offer 
or expose for sale, any arms, ammunition, or military stores, or undertake the repairs 
3[and manufacturing of any arms,  ammunition and running of gun shooting club]  
except under a licence and in the manner and to the extent permitted thereby. 
 (2) Nothing herein contained shall preve nt any person from selling any 
arms or ammunition which he lawfully possesses for his own private use to any 
person who is not by any enactment for the time being in force prohibited from 
possessing the same; but every person so selling arms or ammunition to any person 
shall, without  unnecessary delay, give to the 
4
[5[Deputy Commissioner] ], or to the 
officer in charge of the nearest police -station, notice of the sale and of the 
purchaser’s name and address. 
CHAPTER III 
Transport 
5. Power to prohibit transpo rt.– Government may, from time to time, by 
notification in the official Gazette, regulate or prohibit the transport of any description 
of arms, ammunition or military stores over the whole of the Province or any part 
thereof either altogether or except und er a licence and to the extent and in the 
manner permitted by such licence. 
Explanation.– Arms, ammunition or military stores transhipped at a port in the 
Province are transported within the meaning of this section. 
6. Power to establish searching posts .– Government may, at any place along 
the boundary line 
6
[of the Province] and at such distance within such line as it deems 
expedient, or at any place in the Province that it may deem proper establish 
searching posts at which any person, vessel, vehicle or any other type of transport or 
any type of package or container in transit, may be stopped and searched for arms, 
                                                           
1Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 
30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s. 3.  
2Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 
30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.4(a). 
3Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab  Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 
30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.4(b). 
4Substituted for the words “Magistrate of the District”  by the Arms Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LXVI of 2001), 
published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated December 3, 2001, pp.  1545-1546, s. 3 read with Schedule , Serial 
No. 2. 
5Substituted for the words “District Coordination Officer” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in 
the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.4(c). 
6Substituted for the words “between the Province and an Acceding State”  by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2014  (XXVIII 
of 2014), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated December 17, 2014, pp. 1895-1896, s. 4. 
ammunition and military stores by any officer empowered by Government in this 
behalf by name or in virtue of his office. 
7. Arrest of persons c onveying arms, etc., under suspicious 
circumstances.– (1) When any person is found carrying or conveying any arms, 
ammunition or military stores, whether covered by a licence or not, in such manner 
or under such circumstances as to afford just grounds of s uspicion that the same are 
being carried or conveyed by him with intent to use them, or that the same may be 
used for any unlawful purpose, any person may without warrant apprehend him and 
take such arms, ammunition or military stores from him. 
 (2) Any pe rson so apprehended, and any arms , ammunition or military 
stores so taken by a person not being a 1[Deputy Commissioner] or a Police Officer, 
shall be delivered over as soon as possible to a Police Officer. 
 (3) All persons apprehended by, or delivered to,  a Police Officer and all 
arms, ammunition and military stores seized by or delivered to any such officer under 
this section shall be taken without unnecessary delay before a Magistrate. 
CHAPTER IV 
Going Armed and Possessing Arms, etc. 
8. Prohibition of going armed without licence.– (1) No person shall go armed 
with any arms except under a licence and to the extent and in the manner permitted 
thereby. 
 (2) Any person so going armed without a licence or in contravention of its 
provisions may be disarmed by a ny 2[Deputy Commissioner], Police Officer or other 
person empowered by Government in this behalf by name or by virtue of his office. 
 (3) Nothing in sub -sections (1) and (2) shall apply to a person carrying 
arms under a written authority issued in accordance with the rules. 
9. Unlicensed possession of arms, etc .– No person shall have in his 
possession or under his control any arms, or any ammunition or military stores, 
except under a licence and in the manner and to the extent permitted thereby. 
10. In certain cases arms to be deposited at police station or with licensed 
dealers.– (1) Any person possessing arms, ammunition or military stores the 
possession whereof, has, in consequence of the cancellation or expiry of a licence or 
of an exemption or the death  of the licencee or otherwise, become unlawful, shall 
without unnecessary delay deposit the same either with the officer  incharge of the 
nearest police-station or, at his option and subject to such conditions as Government 
may by rule prescribe, with a licensed dealer: 
                                                           
1Substituted for the word “Magistrate” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab  
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.5.  
2Substituted for the word “Magistrate” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.6.  
  
 Provided that where, within one month of the expiry of a licence an application 
for its renewal has been made by registered post or by hand, the retention by the 
holder of such licence of the arms, ammunition or military stores covered by th e 
licence shall be deemed to be lawful until such time as the licence has been 
renewed or its renewal refused. 
 (2) When arms, ammunition or military stores have been deposited under 
sub-section (1), the depositor, or in the case of his demise, his legal h eirs, shall, at 
any time before the expiry of such period as Government may by rules prescribe, be 
entitled– 
(a) to receive back anything so deposited the possession of which by him 
or his legal heirs has become lawful; and 
(b) to dispose, or authorise the  disposal, of anything so deposited by sale 
or otherwise to any person whose possession of the same would be 
lawful, and to receive the proceeds of any such sale: 
 Provided that nothing in this sub -section shall be deemed to authorise 
the return or disposa l of anything the confiscation of which has been directed 
under section 
1
[20]. 
 (3) All things deposited under sub-section (1) and not returned or disposed 
of under sub -section (2) within the prescribed period therein referred to shall be 
forfeited to Government. 
 (4)(a) Government may make rules consistent with this Ordinance for 
carrying into effect the provisions of this section. 
(b) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing 
provision Government may by rules prescribe– 
(i) the conditions subject to which arms, ammunition or military 
stores may be deposited with a licensed dealer, and  
(ii) the period after the expiry of which things deposited as aforesaid 
shall be forfeited under sub-section (3). 
CHAPTER V 
Licences 
11. Power to make rules as to licences .– Government may, from time to time, 
by notification in the official Gazette, make rules to determine the officers by whom, 
the form in which, and the terms and conditions on and subject to which any licence 
shall be granted, or renewed, and may by such rules among other matters– 
(a) fix the period for which such licences shall continue in force; 
(b) fix a fee payable by stamp or otherwise in respect of any such licence; 
2
[(c) * * * * * * * * *   ] 
                                                           
1Substituted for the figure  “19” by the West Pakistan Arms (Amendment) Ordinance, 1969 (XI of 1969), published in the 
Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated July 10, 1969, pp. 1109-1110, s. 3. 
2Omitted by the West Pakistan Arms (Amendment) Act, 1974 (XXXVIII of 1974), publi shed in the Gazette of Pakistan 
(Extraordinary), dated May 25, 1974, pp. 191-213, s. 4. 
(d) direct that the holder of a ny such licence shall keep a record or 
account, in such form as Government may prescribe, of anything done 
under such licence, and exhibit such record or account when called 
upon to do so by an officer of Government authorized in this behalf; 
(e) empower any officer of Government to enter and inspect any premises 
in which arms, ammunition or military stores are kept by any person 
holding a licence of the description referred to in section 4; 
(f) direct that any such person shall exhibit the entire stock of arms, 
ammunition and military stores in his possession or under his control to 
any officer of Government so empowered; and 
(g) require the person holding any licence or acting under any licence to 
produce the same and to produce or account for the arms, am munition 
or military stores covered by the same when called upon to do so by an 
officer of Government so empowered. 
1
[11A. Power of the 
2
[3[Secretary]].– (1) The 
4
[
5
[Secretary]] may, by notification in the 
official Gazette, specify the description, calibre  or bore of arms and ammunition 
which are to be prohibited bores for the purpose of this Ordinance. 
 (2) No licence for the arms and ammunition notified under sub -section (1) 
shall be issued except by the 
6
[7[Secretary]]. 
 (3) The 
8
[9[Secretary]] shall hav e the power to issue licences for non -
prohibited bore weapons valid for the whole or any part of Pakistan. 
 
10
[(4) * * * * * * * * *  ]] 
11
[11B. Prohibition of keeping, carrying or displaying arms .– 
1
[(1) The  
2[Secretary] may, by general or special order, pr ohibit the keeping, carrying or 
                                                           
1Inserted by the West Pakistan Arms (Amendment) Act, 1974 (XXXVIII of 1974), published in the Gazette of Pakistan 
(Extraordinary), dated May 25, 1974, pp. 191-213, s. 5. 
2Substituted for the words “Federal Government” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2014 (XXVIII of 2014), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated December 17, 2014, pp. 1895-1896, s. 6. 
3Substituted for the word “Government”  by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s7. 
4Substituted for the words “Federal Government” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2014 (XXVIII of 2014), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated December 17, 2014, pp. 1895-1896, s. 6(a). 
5Substituted for the word “Government” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.7.   
6Substituted for the words “Federal Government” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2014 (XXVIII of 2014), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated December 17, 2014, pp. 1895-1896, s. 6. 
7Substituted for the word “Government”  by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.7.   
8Substituted for the words “Federal Government” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2014 (XXVIII of 2014), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated December 17, 2014, pp. 1895-1896, s. 6. 
9Substituted for the word “Government”   by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.7. 
10Omitted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2014 (XXVIII of 2014), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 
December 17, 2014, pp. 1895-1896, s. 6(b). 
11Inserted by the Pakistan Arms (Second Amendment) Act, 1976 (LXXX of 1976), publis hed in the Gazette of Pakistan 
(Extraordinary), dated December 30, 1976, pp. 635-636, s. 2. 
display of arms at such places or times or on such occasions, as may be specified in 
the order.] 
 (2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of sub -section (1), 
an order issued thereunder may prohibit–  
(a) the keeping of arms within the premises of educational institutions and 
the premises of the hostels or boarding and lodging houses relating or 
affiliated thereto; and 
(b) the carrying or display of arms at fairs or in gatherings or  processions 
of a politica l, religious, ceremonial or sectarian character or in the 
premises of courts of law or public offices.  
 (3) Any person keeping, carrying or displaying any arms in contravention 
of an order issued under sub -section (1) may be disarmed by any 3[Deputy 
Commissioner], Police Officer or other person empowered by Government in this 
behalf.] 
12. Cancellation and suspension of licences .– (1) Any licence may be 
cancelled or suspended– 
(a) by the officer by whom the same was granted or by any authority to 
which he m ay be subordinate, or any 
4
[5[Deputy Commissioner]] within 
the local limits of whose jurisdiction the holder of such licence may be, 
when, for reasons to be recorded in writing, and after giving the holder 
of the licence an opportunity of showing cause aga inst the proposed 
cancellation or suspension, such officer , 
6
[or authority] deems it 
necessary for the security of the public peace to cancel or suspend 
such licence; or 
(b) by any Judge or Magistrate before whom the holder of such licence is 
convicted of an offence against this Ordinance or against the rules and 
7[Secretary] may, by a notification in the official Gazette, cancel or 
suspend all or any licences throughout the Province or any part 
thereof. 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
1Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2014 (XXVIII of 2014), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), 
dated December 17, 2014, pp. 1895-1896, s. 7. 
2Substituted for the word “Government”  by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.8(a).   
3Substituted for the word “Magistrate”  by the Punjab Arms (Amendme nt) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.8(b).   
4Substituted for the words “District Magistrate” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2014 (XXVIII of 2014), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated December 17, 2014, pp.  1895-1896, s. 8, which had already been made by the Arms 
Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LXVI of 2001), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated December 3, 
2001, pp. 1543-1546, s. 2 read with Schedule, Serial No. 2. 
5Substituted for the words “District Coordination Officer” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in 
the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.9(a)(i).  
6Substituted for the words “authority or Magistrate” by the Arms Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001 (LXVI of 2001), published 
in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated December 3, 2001, pp.1545-1546, s. 3 read with Schedule, Serial No. 2. 
7Substituted for the wo rd “Government” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.9(a)(ii).   
 (2) An appeal against an order of cancellation or su spension under clause 
(a) of sub-section (1) may be made by the person whose licence has been cancelled 
or suspended to the immediate official superior to the authority making the order, 
within sixty days of the receipt by him of a copy of the order where appeal lies to 
1[Chief Secretary], and where appeal lies to any other authority, within thirty days of 
the receipt by him of a copy of the order. 
CHAPTER VI 
Penalties 
2
[13. Offences and penalties .– (1) A person shall be liable to punishment under 
subsection (2) if he commits any of the following offences: 
(a) sells, or keeps, offers or exposes for sale, any arms, ammunition or 
military stores, or undertakes the repairs 3[and manufacturers any 
arms, ammunition and runs a gun shooting club]  in contravention o f 
section 4; 
(b) fails to give notice of the sale of arms and ammunition and of the 
purchaser’s name and address as required by section 4; 
(c) transports any arms, ammunition or military stores in contravention of a 
regulation or prohibition issued under section 5; 
(d) goes armed in contravention of section 8; 
(e) has in his possession or under his control any arms, ammunition or 
military stores in contravention of section 9; 
(f) fails to deposit arms, ammunition or military stores as required under 
section 10;  
(g) intentionally makes any false entry in a record or account which by a 
rule made under clause (d) of section 11 he is required to keep;  
(h) intentionally fails to exhibit anything which by a rule made under clause 
(f) of section 11 he is required to exhibit; or 
(i) 4[*] carries or displays any arms in contravention of an order issued 
under section 11-B 5[; or] 
 6[(j) keeps any arms in contravention of an order issued under section 11A.] 
                                                           
1Substituted for the word “Government” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Gazette of 
Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated 30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.9(b).   
2Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Ordinance 2015 (III of 2015) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary),  
dated January 9, 2015, pp. 2087-2089, s. 2. 
3Substituted for the words “of any arms” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Gazette of 
Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated 30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.10(a)(i).    
4Omitted the expression “Keeps,” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Gazette of 
Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated 30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.10(a)(ii)(a).    
5Substituted for the full stop “.” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Gazette of Pakistan 
(Extraordinary), dated 30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.10(a)(ii)(b).    
6Added by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated 
30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.10(a)(iii).    
 
         1[(2)    The offences provided in sub -section (1) shall be non -bailable and 
for: 
(a)  keeping or possessing of a non-prohibited bore weapon, ammunition 
of non -prohibited bore weapons or military stores, shall be 
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five 
years but shall not be less t han three years and with fine not less 
than one million rupees, and in case of default of payment of fine, 
the offender shall undergo further imprisonment for six months; or 
(b)  carrying or displaying of a non -prohibited bore weapon, ammunition 
of non -prohibited bore weapons or military stores, shall be 
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven 
years but not less than three years and with fine not less than two 
million rupees, and in case of default of payment of fine, the offender 
shall undergo further imprisonment for six months; or 
(c)  keeping or possessing of a prohibited bore weapon or ammunition of 
prohibited bore weapons, shall be punishable with imprisonment for 
a term which may extend to seven years but not less than four y ears 
and with fine not less than two million rupees, and in case of default 
of payment of fine, the offender shall undergo further imprisonment 
for one year; or 
(d)  carrying or displaying of a prohibited bore weapon or ammunition of 
prohibited bore weapon s, shall be punishable with imprisonment for 
a term which may extend to ten years but shall not less than seven 
years and with fine not less than two million rupees, and in case of 
default of payment of fine, the offender shall undergo further 
imprisonment for one year; or 
(e)   carrying or possessing of two or more prohibited bore weapons or 
five or more non -prohibited bore weapons or one prohibited bore 
weapon and two non -prohibited bore weapons, shall be punishable 
with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years but 
not less than ten years and with fine which shall not be less than 
three million rupees, and in case of default of payment of fine, the 
offender shall undergo further imprisonment for two years; or 
(f) undertaking repairs or ma nufacturing any arms, ammunitions or 
running a gun shooting club, shall be punishable with imprisonment 
for a term which may extend to seven years but not less than five 
years and with fine which shall not be less than three million rupees 
and in case of d efault of payment of fine, the offender shall undergo 
further imprisonment of two years.] 
14. Certain breaches of sections 4, 5, 9 and 21.– Whoever– 
1
[(a) * * * * * * * * *   ] 
                                                           
1Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 
30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.10(b).     
(b) on any search being made under section 21, conceals or attempts to 
conceal any arms, ammunition or military stores, 
shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven 
years 2[and with fine not less  than one million rupees, a n d in case of default 
of payment of fine, the offender shall undergo further imprison ment for six 
months]: 
  
3
[Provided that the punishment for an offence committed in respect of 
any– 
(a) cannon, grenade, bomb or rocket; or 
(b) light or heavy automatic weapon, rifle of .303 bore or over, 
musket of .410 bore or over or pistol or revolver of  .441 bore or 
over, or ammunition which can be fired from such weapon, rifle, 
musket, pistol or revolver,  
shall be imprisonment for a term 4[not less than three] years.] 
5
[6[14A. Cognizance and trial of offences .- All offences under this Ordinance shall 
be cognizable and shall be tried in accordance with the provisions of the Code of 
Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898).] 
 
7
[(2) * * * * * * * * *  ]] 
15. Breach of licence .– Whoever, in violation of a condition subject to which a 
licence has been granted, d oes or omits to do any act shall, when the doing or 
omitting to do such act is not punishable under section 13 or section 14, be punished 
with fine which 8[shall not be less than one hundred thousand 
9
[**]] rupees. 
16. Knowingly purchasing arms, etc., from unlicensed persons.– Whoever– 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
1Omitted by the West Pakistan Arms (Amendment) Act, 1973 (LII of 1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), 
dated July 5, 1973, pp. 543-544, s. 3. 
2Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 
30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.11(a).      
3Substituted by the Pakistan Arms (Second Amendment) Act, 1976 (LXXX of 1976), published in the Gazette of Pakistan 
(Extraordinary), dated December 30, 1976, pp. 635-636, s. 4. 
4Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 
30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.11(b).       
5Inserted by the Pakistan Arms (Amendment) Act, 1976 (L of 1976), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated 
July 21, 1976, pp. 423-428, s. 2. 
6Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 
30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.12.   
7Omitted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2014 (XXVIII of 2014), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordi nary), dated 
December 17, 2014, pp. 1895-1896, s. 9 
8Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 
30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.13.    
9Substituted for the words “five hundred” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2014 (XXVIII of 2014), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated December 17, 2014, pp. 1895-1896, s. 10. 
(a) knowingly purchases any arms, ammunition or military stores from any 
person not licensed or authorised under sub -section (2) of section 4 to 
sell the same; or 
(b) delivers any arms, ammunition or military stores into the possession of 
any person without previously ascertaining that such person is legally 
authorised to possess the same,  
shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which  1[shall not be less than 
three years and with fine not less than five hundred thousan d rupees, and in 
case of default of payment of fine, the offender shall undergo further 
imprisonment for six months]: 
  
2
[Provided that the punishment for an offence committed in respect of 
any– 
(a) cannon, grenade, bomb or rocket; or 
(b) light or heavy au tomatic weapon, rifle of .303 bore or over, 
musket of .410 bore or over or pistol or revolver of .441 bore or 
over, or ammunition which can be fired from such weapon, rifle, 
musket, pistol or revolver,  
shall be imprisonment for a term 3[not less than five  years, and  with 
fine not less than five hundred thousand rupees,  and in case of the default of 
payment of fine, the offender shall undergo fu rther imprisonment for one 
year.]]  
17. Penalty for breach of rules .– Any person violating any provision of any ru le 
made under this Ordinance for the violation of which no penalty is provided by this 
Ordinance, shall be punished with fine which 4[shall not be less than one hundred 
thousand rupees, and in case of default of payment of fine, the offender shall 
undergo further imprisonment for three months]. 
18. Penalty for failure to give information under section 23 .– Any person who 
in the absence of reasonable excuse, the burden of proving which shall lie upon 
such person, fails to give information to the nearest Poli ce Officer or 5[Deputy 
Commissioner] in respect of any offence under sub -section (1) or sub -section (2) of 
section 23 of which he becomes aware or which he has reason to suspect, shall be 
punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months , 6[and fine 
                                                           
1Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 
30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.14(a).     
2Substituted by the Pakistan Arms (Second Amendment) Act, 1976 (LXXX of 1976), published in the Gazette of Pakistan 
(Extraordinary), dated December 30, 1976, pp. 635-636, s. 5. 
3Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 
30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.14(b).  
4Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 
30 May, 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.15.   
5Substituted for the word “Magistrate”  by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.16(a).    
6Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 
30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.16(b).    
not less than one hundred thousand rupees, and in case of default of payment of 
fine, the offender shall undergo further imprisonment for three months]. 
19. Penalty for refusing or neglecting to produce arms .– Any person refusing 
or neglecting  to produce any arms when so required under section 26 shall be 
punished with imprisonment for a term which 1[shall not be less than six months, and 
with fine not less than one hundred thousand rupees, and in case of default of 
payment of fine, the offender shall undergo further imprisonment for three months].  
20. Power to confiscate .– When any person is convicted of any offence 
punishable under this Ordinance, committed by him in respect of any arms, 
ammunition or military stores, it shall be in the discr etion of the committing Court or 
Magistrate further to direct that the whole or any portion of such arms, ammunition or 
military stores, and any vessel, vehicle or any other type of transport used to convey 
the same, and any type of package or container in  which the same may have been 
concealed, together with the other contents of such package or container shall be 
confiscated: 
 Provided that where such conviction is in respect of an offence punishable 
under this Ordinance with imprisonment for not less than twelve months, the Court or 
the Magistrate convicting such person shall direct that the whole or any portion of 
such arms, ammunition or military stores shall be confiscated. 
CHAPTER VII 
Miscellaneous 
21. Search and seizure by Magistrate .– Whenever any M agistrate or an officer 
in charge of a police-station has reason to believe that any person residing within the 
local limits of his jurisdiction– 
(a) has in his possession any arms, ammunition or military stores for any 
unlawful purpose; or 
(b) that such p erson cannot be left in the possession of any such arms, 
ammunition or military stores without danger to the public peace; 
such Magistrate or such Police Officer having first recorded the grounds of his belief, 
may cause a search to be made of the house or  premises occupied by such person 
or in which such Magistrate or such Police Officer has reason to believe such arms, 
ammunition or military stores are or is to be found, and may seize and detain the 
same, although covered by licence or exemption, in safe custody for such time as he 
thinks necessary. 
22. Seizure and detention by 2[Secretary].– 3[Secretary] may at any time order 
or cause to be seized any arms, ammunition or military stores in the possession of 
any person, notwithstanding that such person is lawfully entitled to possess the 
                                                           
1Substituted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 
30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.17.    
2Substituted for the word “Government”  by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.18.   
3Substituted for the word “Government”  by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.18.   
same, and may detain the same for such time as it thinks necessary for the public 
safety. 
23. Information be given regarding offences .– (1) Every person aware of the 
commission of any offence punishable under this Ordinance  shall, in the absence of 
reasonable excuse, the burden of proving which shall lie upon such person, give 
information of the same to the nearest Police Officer or 1[Deputy Commissioner]. 
 (2) Every person employed upon any Railway or by any public carrier 
shall, in the absence of reasonable excuse, the burden of proving which shall lie 
upon such person, give information to the nearest Police Officer or Magistrate 
regarding any package or container in transit which he may have reason to suspect 
contains arms, ammunition or military stores in respect of which an offence against 
this Ordinance has been or is being committed. 
24. Searches in the case of offences how conducted.– When a search is to be 
made for any of the purposes of this Ordinance, such search sh all be made under 
the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898). 
25. Operation of other laws not barred .– Nothing in this Ordinance shall be 
deemed to prevent any person from being prosecuted under any other law for any 
act or omission  which constitutes an offence against this Ordinance or the rules or 
from being liable under such other law to any higher punishment or penalty than that 
provided by this Ordinance: 
 Provided that no person shall be punished twice for the same offence. 
26. Power to take census of arms .– (1) Government may, from time to time, by 
notification in the official Gazette, direct a census to be taken of any arms in any 
area, and empower any person by name or in virtue of his office to take such 
census. 
 (2) On the issue of any such notification, all persons possessing any such 
arms in such area shall furnish to the person so empowered such information as he 
may require in reference thereto, and shall produce such arms to him if he so 
requires. 
2[* * * * * * * * * *] 
28. Notice and limitation of proceedings .– No suit, prosecution or other 
proceeding shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or 
intended to be done in pursuance of this Ordinance. 
3
[29. Repeal.– * * * * * * * *   ] 
 
                                                           
1Substituted for the word “Magistrate”  by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.19.   
2Omitted “Section 27 ” by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2025 (XLI of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated: 30 May 2025, pp. 4783-4787, s.20. 
3Omitted by the Punjab Arms (Amendment) Act 2014 (XXVIII of 2014), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated : 
17 December 2014, pp. 1895-1896, s. 15.