Nirbheek
| Nirbheek | |
|---|---|
| File:Nirbheek revolver.jpg Nirbheek revolver & 6 bullets | |
| Type | Revolver |
| Place of origin |  India |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2014 |
| Used by | India |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Ordnance Factories Board |
| Unit cost | INR 122,360.00[1] |
| Produced | January 6, 2014 |
| No. built | 10 (sold as of January, 2014) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 525 g |
| Length | 177.8 mm |
| Barrel length | 76.2 mm |
| Cartridge | .32 caliber (7.65 mm x 23) |
| Action | Single action Revolver |
| Effective firing range | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Feed system | 6-shot Cylinder |
| Sights | Front sight–blade, rear sight-‘U’ |
Nirbheek (lit. "fearless") is a 6-shot cylinder revolver designed & manufactured by the Ordnance Factories Organization in Kanpur, India.[2]
Description
The gun is black, lightweight and slim. It weighs 0.5 kg and it is said it could be carried in a purse or bag. The gun uses .32 caliber bullets with an effective fire range of 50 ft (15 m). It has a titanium-alloy body and wooden handle.[3] It is priced at Rs 122,360.00 (about USD $2,000). The gun's simple mechanism is thought to have been based on earlier designs by Webley & Scott and Smith & Wesson. The gun would be illegal to carry in public in India without a permit. These permits are difficult or impossible for women to obtain.[4]
The revolver is marketed as India's first gun for women and it is named after the name given to a 23-year-old woman who was gang raped in Delhi in December 16, 2012.[5][6] That victim later died due to her injuries. Both words, victim alias Nirbhaya & revolver name Nirbheek, mean "fearless" in Hindi language.
Criticism
Nirbheek created widespread criticism by women's groups and anti-gun campaigners. They expressed that the revolver for women would be an insult to the memory of Nirbhaya, the victim, and it could not be the solution to violence against women.[7][8] One anti-gun group saw the launch of this gun by a state owned factory as an admission of failure by the government. They claimed that women carrying guns are twelve times more likely to be shot by attackers compared to unarmed women.[4]
The factory's general manager claimed that the gun would increase women's confidence and deter attackers. Critics answered that not many women could afford the gun to defend themselves since it costs more than the average Indian’s annual salary—only high and middle class women would be able to afford it. Since high and middle-class women are not the most vulnerable (most of them use their own vehicle and do not need public transport), their having guns would not solve the problem. Additionally carrying guns in public places in most of India is prohibited.[3]
References
- ^ "FIELD GUN FACTORY, KANPUR". Ordnance Factory Board, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ "Nirbheek, India's first gun for women". Times of India. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ a b "Can a gun protect India's women from rape and violence?". The Guardian. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ a b Nirbheek: India’s Anti-Rape Gun Draws Widespread Criticism, JT Quigley, TheDiplomat.com, retrieved 25 January 2014
- ^ "A gun designed for Indian women". BBC. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ "Nirbheek Is India's First Revolver Designed For Women". Forbes. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ "India plans to sell a handgun designed for women". Public Radio International. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
- ^ "Nirbheek: India's Anti-Rape Gun Draws Widespread Criticism". The Diplomat. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
External links
- NIRBHEEK 32(7.65) REVOLVER PDF file at the Government of India website