Prayagraj, April 4 -- The Allahabad High Court, in an order, has sought comprehensive data on arms licences issued in Uttar Pradesh, taking note of a growing 'gun culture' in the state. Passing the above order, Justice Vinod Diwakar observed that individuals with political ambitions or questionable backgrounds are using licensed firearms to assert authority, cultivate a dominant image, and indirectly intimidate others, creating an atmosphere of fear. The court specifically criticised the display of firearms on social media platforms, such as Instagram reels, noting that such behaviour seeks attention, social validation, and reinforces identity through the amplification of gun culture." Such misuse contributes to a culture of fear rather than adherence to the rule of law. It undermines public confidence in legal institutions and normalises violence within society," the court remarked in its order dated March 23."It reflects the persistence of feudal power structures, the inadequate enforcement of norms governing the public display of firearms and the influence of a media-driven peer-validation culture. The interplay of power, perception and social media further exacerbates the issue", the court added.In light of these concerns, the court has directed the additional chief secretary (Home) to clarify whether the UP Government has established a database for arms licenses. The state must also specify if there is a formal arms policy in place to guide district magistrates in making informed decisions regarding the granting, refusal, or renewal of licenses. Furthermore, the court sought details on whether Rule 16 of the Arms Rules, 2016, which mandates updating approved transactions on the NDAL system, is being complied with. The court also took a stern view of the fact that multiple members of a single family, such as a husband, wife, son, daughter, and daughter-in-law, hold individual arms licences and sometimes possess multiple weapons and stressed that this practice requires serious judicial scrutiny.Accordingly, the court directed all the district magistrates (DMs) in the state to provide district-wise and police station-wise details of firearms possessed by individuals. The authorities must explicitly indicate cases where family members hold separate licences of arms. PTI...