Ahmedabad/Surat/Rajkot – Aam Aadmi Party MLA Gopal Italia, along with State Organization Minister Ajit Lokhiel and Dilipsinh, addressed the media in a press conference to highlight growing concerns over gun licensing in Gujarat. The leaders warned that citizens are increasingly seeking revolver licenses due to a lack of trust in the police and government to ensure public safety.
According to MLA Italia, Ahmedabad has around 5,100 residents and Surat approximately 2,900 holding personal revolver licenses, totaling nearly 8,000 people in just these two districts. More than 1,000 additional applications for new licenses are also under process. Extrapolating these figures, Italia estimated that around 100,000 people across Gujarat may now possess firearms. These numbers underscore the rising trend of gun licensing and the growing “gun culture” in the state, similar to what has been seen in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
MLA Italia Alleges Police Misuse Driving Citizens Towards Gun Licensing
MLA Italia criticized the state police for misusing their authority. “The police are being used not to protect citizens, but to intimidate AAP workers and leaders,” Italia said. He cited incidents in Dharampur, Valsad, Surendranagar, Navsari, and other districts where AAP workers were harassed, taken to police stations for hours, and pressured to share election-related data. According to Italia, these actions are forcing citizens to take their safety into their own hands, driving the surge in gun licensing.
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He further highlighted that the government’s approach of issuing licenses instead of guaranteeing public safety reflects a failure in governance. “If people felt secure under the law, there would be no need for such widespread gun licensing,” he said. Italia urged citizens to support the AAP in its mission to ensure justice, transparency, and public safety.
Ignored Complaints and Threats Highlight Urgency of Rising Gun Licensing in Gujarat
The press conference also revealed that complaints regarding threats and harassment against AAP workers have largely been ignored. Officers reportedly admitted that they act on instructions to intimidate party members. If the issue remains unresolved, MLA Italia warned that the AAP will escalate matters to the courts, reflecting the serious implications of the growing gun licensing trend in Gujarat.
Gopal Italia concluded by urging citizens to understand why so many feel compelled to acquire firearms and to support the AAP’s fight for safety, justice, and accountability across the state.