Lamjung DAO confiscates unrenewed firearms

By Nabinraj Kuinkel,Lamjung, Sept. 4: A large number of registered firearms in Lamjung have not been renewed in recent times. 

Of the 1,082 firearms registered at the District Administration Office, most of them have not been renewed for a long time.

According to administrative records, only 143 firearms were renewed in the fiscal year 2024/25. In the same period, ownership of 21 firearms was officially transferred. 

In the fiscal year 2023/24, only about 300 firearms were renewed.

Thaman Singh Gautam, the Assistant Chief District Officer of Lamjung, informed that a new law concerning firearms is forthcoming, and future action will be taken in accordance with the provisions of that legislation. 

He mentioned that old household firearms which are not renewed and have exceeded the renewal period have been confiscated.

Possessing firearms whose licenses have not been renewed is illegal and poses a security risk, according to the administration. 

Assistant CDO Gautam explained that many such weapons have not been renewed possibly because, after the death of the original licence holders, family members either overlooked them, were unaware of their existence, or were unfamiliar with the renewal process.

According to the District Police Office, 197 illegal firearms hidden in households were seized in the last fiscal year alone. 

Most of the weapins had not been renewed for over five years and had no traceable registration details, according to Lamjung’s Chief of Police, Ramesh Bohara. 

In the past, firearms were permitted for reasons such as social status, self-defence, or hunting, but there is currently no clear record of where these weapons are now. Many firearms that went missing during the armed conflict period also remain unaccounted for.

While the District Administration Office continues to urge the public to renew or surrender their weapons, the problem persists due to lack of public cooperation and systemic weaknesses.

Security experts believe the issue cannot be resolved without stricter renewal procedures, increased public awareness, and improvements in technical systems.