Since the publication of the last edition, the Arms Act, 1959 has been exhaustively amended by Act 25 of 1983 and large body of case law has also grown all of which has been carefully incorporated in this present edition.
Amendment to the Explosives Act, 1984 by Act 32 of 1978 has also been meanwhile brought into force with effect from March 2, 1983 because of which the entire commentary has been re-written and brought up to date.
The Explosives Rules, 1940 have been repealed and replaced by very exhaustive Explosives Rules, 1983. Similarly, new Gas Cylinders Rules, 1983 have replaced the earlier Gas Cylinders Rules and important rules entitled Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules, 1981 have also been framed and will be found useful to the readers.
Disturbances and acts of terrorism and communalism have erupted in different parts of the country, necessitating the passing of severe laws to curb the open carrying of arms and ammunition and the illegitimate use of explosives. Such recent Acts affecting the State of Punjab and Union territory of Chandigarh have also been incorporated in the Appendix.
Several new notifications amending and supplementing the earlier ones have been noticed and included in this edition.