Karachi, go get your gun

The minimum age was 18 years, but it has been bumped up to 25.


Tooba Masood March 09, 2013
Many people buy guns illegally. PHOTO: FILE



To buy a gun you need two passport photographs, a copy of your CNIC, a NADRA verification letter of your CNIC, a police certificate, salary slip, a copy of your electricity or telephone bill and Rs4,530 for the fee.

The minimum age was 18 years, but it has been bumped up to 25. Still, many people buy them illegally. “Most people in the 18 to 21 age bracket buy TT pistols,” says Shehzi Khan, an arms and ammunition dealer who runs shops in Saddar and DHA. “The weapon costs around Rs21,000 and an extra Rs35 per bullet.” Before they hand the weapon over they note down the buyers details, including thumb prints, address and CNIC number. Khan’s family has been in the business for 40 years. They get most of their supplies from Turkey, China, Yugoslavia and Russia. “We sell a TT almost every day, just last week we sold around 13 pistols,” he told The Express Tribune in December. “Some people are genuine gun collectors but most of these young boys buy guns to show ‘bharam’ [attitude] or fight.”


Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2013.

COMMENTS (2)

gonna get it | 11 years ago | Reply

Well if you live in a neighborhood where not a single day passes without at least one person getting killed because they belong to a certain sect then you definitely should get your hands on a gun, LEGALLY. Many wouldn't understand because not many people get targeted in sectarian target killing in DHA, Bahadurabad, PECHS or Clifton in Karachi but come visit Nazimabad, Ancholi, Gulshan, Malir, Rizvia and other areas where around half a dozen innocent people are killed on daily basis, if you disagree, pickup any newspaper printed in last three years. Everyone should get a gun legally, just make sure its out of reach of your kids and teens.

P.S if you count bhatta khori and street crimes, then everybody should get on the wagon to get a gun.

Noman Ansari | 11 years ago | Reply

“Some people are genuine gun collectors but most of these young boys buy guns to show ‘bharam’ [attitude] or fight.”

And you still them to the kids? This is why our country is so screwed, because we are selling our souls for money.

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