, June 16 -- Licensed Legal Firearms Owners on Tuesday demanded the immediate withdrawal of a proposed advance income tax (AIT) on legally held weapons, calling it irrational, internationally unprecedented and a threat to public safety.

Licensed Legal Firearms Owners Association of Bangladesh came up with the demand at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club.

Under the proposed budget measure, pistol and revolver owners would be required to pay Tk 1 lakh annually as advance income tax, while shotgun and rifle holders would face a Tk 50,000 annual levy, on top of already steep renewal fees.

"No country in the developed or developing world imposes advance income tax on licensed firearms. This is without precedent," said association s...