Is there a growing gun culture in Kerala?

KOCHI: The recent incident in which the Alappuzha police seized an air rifle from the house of a Plus-1 student who attacked his classmates with the weapon at a government school in Alappuzha Municipality on Tuesday has heightened concerns over the rising incidence of gun-related crimes in the state. While gun violence was once rare in Kerala, numerous recent cases involving pistols and air rifles have raised questions over whether a ‘gun culture’ is slowly developing. Earlier, barely a fortnight ago, on July 27, a woman was shot in her hands at her residence in Thiruvananthapuram. Interestingly, a woman doctor, who fled the scene in a car, was arrested later.

Police reports indicate that three people have recently been killed by gun violence, and 10 incidents have been reported in the past year. Five such attacks were recorded in 2022. Air guns, often used for sports and self-defense, are easily available and do not require a license, making them attractive for criminal activity. Most air guns are sold online, making it harder for authorities to track down gun owners. While there has been an increase in air gun sales, it is not yet considered widespread, sources said.

The cost of an air rifle ranges from Rs 4,000 to Rs 13,000. A license is required for air rifles that generate more than 20 joules of energy, but .177 caliber air rifles, standard for national and international competitions, do not require a license, although they are still subject to the 20 joule restriction. Although air rifles are generally non-lethal, use at close range can be fatal.

Kochi city police commissioner S Shyam Sundar told TNIE that the rising gun culture is a matter of concern, though it is not escalating. “In the recent bar shooting in Kochi, the entire team was arrested. They bought the country-made weapon from Bihar,” he noted. In February, a person opened fire with a pistol late in the evening at the Hotel Edassery Mansion Bar near Kaloor, injuring two employees.

“Country-made weapons, known as ‘pancha’, come from Bihar. Gangs procure these weapons through their channels. However, the police have imposed full-time surveillance on these gangs,” Shyam Sundar added.