Punjab Makes Digital Arms Inventory Mandatory

The Punjab Home Department has ordered all licensed arms dealers operating across the province to digitally register their firearm and ammunition inventories. Under the new directive, dealers holding Business Arms Licences (BAL) are required to submit information about their current stocks, along with records of weapons and ammunition bought and sold, through the official Punjab Arms Licence portal by August 26.

A dedicated inventory module has been added to the online licensing system to establish a centralised digital database of firearms and ammunition possessed by authorised dealers. The department says the new mechanism will allow authorities to maintain updated records and strengthen oversight of arms-related transactions across the province.

Dealers have been instructed to enter complete information about weapons and ammunition currently available in their businesses. They must also record details of subsequent purchases and sales through the digital platform as part of the new monitoring procedure. The Home Department has directed all relevant licence holders to ensure their records are uploaded within the specified deadline.

Deputy commissioners across Punjab have also been tasked with overseeing implementation in their respective districts. They have been directed to ensure that arms dealers comply with the new registration requirement and provide reports to the department once the digital records have been completed.

The department has warned that failure to comply could result in enforcement action against dealers. Depending on the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, authorities may suspend business arms licences, seal non-compliant establishments and impose financial penalties under applicable laws.

To help dealers understand the new system, the Home Department is scheduled to conduct a training session on August 24 at the Punjab Forensic Science Authority auditorium. The workshop will focus on explaining the newly introduced inventory module and guiding licence holders through the digital registration process.

Dealers who cannot attend physically will also be able to participate online through the offices of deputy commissioners located throughout Punjab. The session is intended to address practical issues related to the portal and give arms dealers an opportunity to seek clarification regarding the new digital inventory requirements.

The measure forms part of the provincial government’s broader strategy to modernise the monitoring of firearms and ammunition. Authorities believe maintaining centralised digital records of licensed dealers and their transactions will improve oversight, strengthen accountability and assist efforts to prevent the circulation of illegal weapons in Punjab.