( 1 ) THE writ petitioner is a charitable trust. It inter alia campaigns for the rights of the animals. By reason of this writ petition, the petitioner has prayed for issuance of an appropriate writ directing the respondents not to authorize issuance/renewal of licences under the arms Act, 1959 in respect of guns for sport as well as for crop and cattle protection.

( 2 ) THE contention of the petitioner in this writ petition is that although the object of the Arms Act is to preserve public security as also maintenance of public order, the basic requirements thereof have been given a go-bye by liberalizing the policy of grant of licence of arms . Such liberalization of grant of licence in arms led to unhampered distribution, sale and possession of firearms in the country. It is not in dispute that the Central Government in exercise of its power conferred upon it under Section 41 of the Arms act had issued a notification bearing No. G. S. R. 991 dated 13. 07. 1962 whereby and whereunder it had excluded arms and ammunition of the descriptions specified in column (1) of Schedule II annexed thereto from certain provisions of the Act and subject to conditions mentioned therein