Bangaloreans go for guns

Bangaloreans go for guns
Monday January 28 2008 10:14 IST

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BANGALORE: The boom in real estate business and suspected terror activities in the City has made many feel insecure and take up arms for selfdefence.

The number of people applying for gun licenses has increased in the last few years. In 2007, 332 people applied for gun license, compared to 172 in 1998.

"Increase in crime rate and terrorist activity in city is the reason for more and more people applying for gun license," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Admin) Muniswami told this website's newspaper.

"As real estate prices have gone up drastically, those in the business do not want to take any chances and make arrangements for their own safety," the officer added.

After 1998, there was a slight decline in the number, but it increased again after 2002. Prior to 1998, police encouraged people, especially those living on the City outskirts to buy guns for selfdefence as those areas were not developed. The number of robbery cases in those areas were high.