Illegal country gun manufacturing racket busted in Shivamogga; carpenter arrested

Shivamogga: While Karnataka has been witnessing major crackdowns on drug factories in Bengaluru and Mysuru, another shocking illegal network has now been exposed in Shivamogga district.

Police have unearthed an illicit country gun manufacturing unit operating secretly in Shikaripura taluk, leading to the arrest of a local carpenter who had been making and selling firearms without any licence.

The arrested accused has been identified as Lakshmanappa, a resident of Bhadrapura village in Shikaripura taluk. Police investigations revealed that though he worked as a carpenter by profession, he was simultaneously running an illegal arms-making operation from an old house located adjacent to his residence.

According to officials, Lakshmanappa had manufactured as many as seven single-barrel country guns and kept them ready for sale. These firearms were allegedly being sold to people in rural areas, mainly farmers, for hunting purposes.

Based on a tip-off, Shikaripura police conducted a surprise raid on the premises and recovered seven illegally manufactured guns. The seizure has sent shockwaves across the region, as it exposed how easily unlicensed weapons were being produced and circulated.

“During the raid, we found that the accused had set up a small workshop-like facility inside an old house. He had been assembling country-made guns using locally sourced materials. We have seized all the weapons and necessary equipment used for manufacturing,” a senior police officer said.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused used to purchase spare parts required for gun-making from scrap shops in Shivamogga city. Items such as triggers, trigger guards, metal pipes and even old steering components were bought from junk dealers and modified for use in firearms.

Being a skilled carpenter, Lakshmanappa himself prepared the wooden handles and stocks for the guns, while assembling the metal parts to complete the weapons. Police believe he had been involved in this illegal activity for quite some time.

Authorities suspect that the guns were primarily supplied to local villagers for hunting wild animals. However, police are also investigating whether the weapons were sold to criminal elements.

A case has been registered against Lakshmanappa under the Arms Act for illegal manufacture and possession of firearms. He has been produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody.

“This is a serious offence. Manufacturing weapons without licence poses a major threat to public safety. We are probing whether more people were involved in this network and if any additional weapons have been sold,” the police official added.

The incident has once again highlighted the need for strict monitoring of illegal arms circulation in rural areas. Further investigation is underway to trace possible buyers and dismantle any larger network connected to the racket.

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