Section 15 of the Arms Act, 1959: Duration and Renewal of Arms Licences
Section 15 of the Arms Act, 1959 governs how long arms licences remain valid and how they may be renewed. A licence under Section 3 ordinarily continues for five years unless it is revoked earlier or is granted for a shorter period in accordance with the Act.
Text of Section 15 of the Arms Act, 1959
15. Duration and renewal of licence.
(1) A licence under section 3 shall, unless revoked earlier, continue in force for a period of five years from the date on which it is granted:
Provided that such a licence may be granted for a shorter period if the person by whom the licence is required so desires or if the licensing authority, for reasons to be recorded in writing, considers in any case that the licence should be granted for a shorter period.
Provided further that the licence granted under section 3 shall be subject to the conditions specified in sub-clauses (ii) and (iii) of clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 9 and the licensee shall produce the licence along with the firearm or ammunition and connected document before the licensing authority after every five years from the date on which it is granted or renewed.
(2) A licence under any other provision of Chapter II shall, unless revoked earlier, continue in force for such period from the date on which it is granted as the licensing authority may in each case determine.
(3) Every licence shall, unless the licensing authority for reasons to be recorded in writing otherwise decides in any case, be renewable for the same period for which the licence was originally granted and shall be so renewable from time to time, and the provisions of sections 13 and 14 shall apply to the renewal of a licence as they apply to the grant thereof.
Section 3 Arms Licence Is Normally Valid for Five Years
The Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019 substituted the earlier three-year period in Section 15(1) with a five-year period. A licence under Section 3 therefore ordinarily remains in force for five years from the date of grant unless it is revoked earlier or validly issued for a shorter period.
The 2019 amendment also inserted the second proviso to Section 15(1), requiring the licence, firearm or ammunition and connected documents to be produced before the licensing authority after every five years from the date of grant or renewal.
When Can a Licence Be Granted for a Shorter Period?
Section 15 expressly permits a Section 3 licence to be granted for less than five years in two situations:
- the applicant himself or herself desires a shorter period; or
- the licensing authority considers that a shorter period is appropriate and records its reasons in writing.
The requirement to record reasons in writing applies where the licensing authority, rather than the applicant, determines that the licence should be for a shorter period.
Production of Licence, Firearm or Ammunition after Every Five Years
The second proviso to Section 15(1) requires a Section 3 licensee to produce the licence together with the firearm or ammunition and connected document before the licensing authority after every five years from the date of grant or renewal.
The proviso also makes the licence subject to the conditions specified in Section 9(1)(a)(ii) and Section 9(1)(a)(iii), which concern specified disqualifications relating to conviction and bonds for keeping the peace or for good behaviour.
See Section 9 - Restrictions affecting young persons and certain other persons.
Duration of Other Licences under Chapter II
Section 15(2) deals with licences granted under provisions of Chapter II other than Section 3. Unless revoked earlier, such a licence continues for the period determined by the licensing authority in the particular case.
The precise period may therefore differ according to the licence category, applicable rules and the order of the licensing authority.
Renewal of an Arms Licence under Section 15(3)
As a general rule, a licence is renewable for the same period for which it was originally granted and may be renewed from time to time.
However, the licensing authority may decide otherwise for reasons recorded in writing. Section 15(3) also expressly applies Sections 13 and 14 to renewal in the same manner as they apply to an original grant.
Accordingly, renewal is subject to the licensing process in Section 13 and the refusal grounds in Section 14.
Renewal Procedure under Rule 24 of the Arms Rules, 2016
Rule 24 of the Arms Rules, 2016 governs renewal applications. An application for renewal must be filed in the prescribed form at least 60 days before the licence expires.
The authority that issued the licence is ordinarily responsible for watching future renewals. Where the licensee changes residence for the period contemplated by the Rule and notifies the appropriate licensing authority, responsibility for future renewals may shift to the new licensing authority.
Rule 24 also permits consideration of a renewal application made after expiry where the delay is not considered unduly long in the circumstances and the applicable renewal fees are paid. Otherwise, the application may be treated as an application for a fresh licence.
Important: Renewal should be sought before expiry and in accordance with the current Arms Rules, prescribed form, fee and licence conditions. Eligibility and refusal grounds under Sections 13 and 14 continue to apply at the renewal stage.
Official Legal Sources
Related Arms Act Provisions
See also Section 13 on grant of licences, Section 14 on refusal of licences, Section 16 on fees and licence conditions, Section 17 on variation, suspension and revocation, and Section 18 on appeals.
Last reviewed: September 7, 2026.