In a sweeping move to rein in the rampant proliferation of firearms, Bangladesh’s interim government has introduced the Firearms Licence, Renewal and Use Policy-2025, replacing the lax 2016 Policy.

The new measures double licence and renewal fees, impose stringent tax requirements, and tighten eligibility criteria, signalling a bold effort to dismantle a system exploited during the ousted Awami League’s 15-year rule, when over 5,000 licences were issued, largely to political loyalists and affiliated businessmen.

With thousands of weapons still unaccounted for, the reforms aim to restore order and accountability to a nation grappling with the spectre of illicit arms.

A politicised past: The firearms surge

Under the Awami League government (2009-2024), firearms licences became a tool of political patronage.

Data from the Special Branch (SB) of the Bangladesh Police reveals 49,671 valid licences nationwide, with 46,500 held by individuals and the rest by organisations.

Of these, 8,200 were issued to Awami League leaders and activists, 2,500 to BNP affiliates, and just 79 to members of other political parties. The Dhaka Division accounts for the highest share at 14,683 licences, while Mymensingh has the fewest at 2,118.

This skewed distribution, concentrated among political operatives, raised alarms about the misuse of firearms for intimidation and control.

The interim government, formed after the Awami League’s ouster, identified glaring discrepancies in licence documentation, prompting the cancellation of over 5,000 licences.

“Many of these were issued without proper vetting, serving political rather than security needs,” said Khandaker Md Mahabubur Rahman, Additional Secretary of the Public Security Division, told Jago News.

The 2025 policy: A paradigm shift

The Firearms Licence, Renewal and Use Policy-2025, effective immediately, overhauls the 2016 framework with measures designed to curb misuse and ensure only legitimate users are armed.

Key changes include:

Doubled Fees:

Individual Level: Pistol/revolver licence fees have surged from Tk 30,000 to Tk 60,000, with renewals up from Tk 10,000 to Tk 20,000. Gun/shotgun/rifle fees increased from Tk 20,000 to Tk 40,000, with renewals doubled from Tk 5,000 to Tk 10,000.

Financial Institutions: Long-barrel gun licence fees rose from Tk 20,000 to Tk 50,000, with renewals from Tk 5,000 to Tk 10,000.

Other Institutions: Long-barrel gun licence fees doubled from Tk 50,000 to Tk 1 lakh, with renewals from Tk 10,000 to Tk 20,000.

However, institutional licence issuance fees were reduced from Tk 1 lakh to Tk 40,000, and renewals from Tk 20,000 to Tk 10,000, balancing access for legitimate entities.

Safe-Keeping Licences: Fees for designated storage facilities increased from Tk 20,000 to Tk 30,000, with renewals from Tk 5,000 to Tk 6,000.

Duplicate Licences: A new fee of Tk 500 or the original licence fee (whichever is lower) was introduced.

Stricter Tax Requirements: Applicants must now demonstrate income tax payments of Tk 5 lakh for pistols/revolvers/rifles (up from Tk 3 lakh) and Tk 2 lakh for shotguns (up from Tk 1 lakh) over the prior three tax years, ensuring only financially stable individuals qualify.

Rigorous Vetting: Pistol/revolver licence applications require District Magistrate verification, with recommendations sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs for final approval. Ineligible applications are rejected outright, and unprocessed applications lapse after two years, closing loopholes for speculative filings.

Tighter cancellation rules: Licences are now void if a weapon is not purchased within three years (down from five), preventing the hoarding of inactive licences.

Mahbubur Rahman emphasised, “Firearms won’t be issued indiscriminately anymore. The 2025 Policy eliminates loopholes and prioritizes verified, eligible applicants.”

A daunting enforcement challenge

The reforms face significant hurdles. Over 7,000 licence holders have failed to surrender their weapons despite cancellation orders, with police searches yielding little success. “Many have gone into hiding or fled abroad after the change in government,” a senior SB official noted.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is now initiating legal cases against non-compliant individuals, classifying unlicenced possession as a criminal offense under Bangladesh’s laws, which mandate government approval for purchasing or carrying firearms.

The scale of the problem is stark. Of the 49,671 licences, the majority were issued during the Awami League’s tenure, often to bolster political influence in volatile regions like Dhaka.

The interim government’s aggressive cancellations aim to dismantle this network, but recovering thousands of unaccounted weapons remains a logistical and security challenge. “We’re going door to door, but the task is immense,” the SB official added.

A politically charged landscape

The concentration of licences among political affiliates – particularly Awami League operatives – highlights the intersection of firearms and power. The 8,200 licences held by Awami League members dwarf the 2,500 held by BNP affiliates, reflecting the former ruling party’s dominance.

The interim government’s crackdown is seen as an attempt to neutralize politically motivated arsenals, which critics argue were used to intimidate opponents and control local economies.

However, the move has sparked debate. Some analysts suggest the cancellations risk alienating legitimate licence holders, while others praise the reforms as a necessary purge of a corrupted system. “The previous policy was a free-for-all for loyalists,” said a Dhaka-based security expert, speaking anonymously. “This overhaul is long overdue, but enforcement will be the real test.”

Toward a safer Bangladesh

The 2025 Policy reflects a broader push by the interim government to restore public safety and accountability in the wake of political upheaval. By raising financial barriers and tightening oversight, the government aims to limit firearms to those with genuine security needs, such as businesses or individuals in high-risk areas.

The increased fees and tax thresholds also serve as a deterrent to casual ownership, while the focus on verification seeks to prevent licences from falling into the wrong hands.

Yet, the shadow of 7,000 unreturned weapons looms large. The risk of these firearms fuelling crime or insurgency underscores the urgency of robust enforcement. The ministry’s legal actions against absconding licence holders signal a zero-tolerance approach, but success hinges on coordination between police, local authorities, and intelligence agencies.