A few weeks ago, the city police were surprised to find a pistol tucked in the trousers at the waist of a rowdysheeter. For a few moments, the police were in confusion on what they should do. They even contemplated to draw their own service weapons, as the pistol was a look like of the Italian make 9 mm Beretta pistol.
“At a glance it looked like the original one with similar cocking system and butt loading facility, but only on inspection we realised that it was a toy air pistol,” said a police officer who led the arrest of the rowdy sheeter.
On questioning, the offender confessed that he had procured it from an online site. Online sites have become the common hunting ground for the local offenders. From toy look alike pistols to commando knives, are being bought by them.
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The criminals seem to have a penchant for knives that are spiked, especially the one that resembles the knife that Sylvester Stallone wields in the iconic movie series ‘Rambo’.
The knives are not very costly and the cost ranges from ₹ 300 to ₹ 1000. But what is important is the danger. These knives are very sharp and can cause fatal injuries, said CTF ACP I. Chittibabu.
Apart from a few toy pistols, the police in the recent times have seized a number of knives that were purchased online.
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There are a few specifications in the size that one can sell or procure, as per the Indian Arms Act.
Prohibited arms
As per the Act, it is illegal in India to carry a knife beyond 9 inches long and 2 inches wide, as it comes under the ambit of the definition of ‘prohibited arms’ under The Indian Arms Act 1959, said a senior police officer. But many try to procure them as kitchen knives. It is time that some awareness is created, even among sellers, said a senior officer.
Sumit Bhattacharjee