PRAYAGRAJ, April 4 -- Taking serious note of a growing gun culture and the systemic misuse of firearms to project power and influence in the society, the Allahabad high court has sought comprehensive data on arms licences issued in Uttar Pradesh.

Justice Vinod Diwakar observed that individuals with political ambitions or questionable backgrounds are using licensed weapons to project authority, cultivate a dominant image, and indirectly intimidate others, thereby fostering an atmosphere of fear.

The court was hearing a writ petition filed by Jai Shankar alias Bairistar, a jeweller, whose application for an arms licence was rejected by the Bhadohi district magistrate after an unexplained delay of almost four years.

The court specifically...