Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairperson M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday evening (10th December) said that he did not think women needed to carry firearms as other people would protect them, The Hindu reported. The proposed legislation was passed in the Lok Sabha on 9th December.
“In my opinion, women don’t need firearms, others will protect you,” Naidu said shutting the MPs down.
Naidu made these comments as two women MPs asked for time to present their arguments on the discussion over the Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019 – which was passed in the Parliament later that day.
In response, BJP MP Roopa Ganguly told the House that she knew how to shoot firearms since she was a child and “enjoyed it as a sport”.
After making the remark, he noted that the time allotted was almost over, but “one of the two women” could speak.
The bill aims to exercise control over firearms and ammunition for national security. Once passed, the legislation will amend the Arms Act 1959 and reduce the number of licensed firearms allowed per person to two. It also prescribes life imprisonment to those who snatch or loot the arms and ammunition of security forces.
The draft bill proposes to classify the use of firearms in celebratory firing “which endangers human life or personal safety of others” as a punishable offence with two years in jail and/or fine up to ₹1 lakh.
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