Nirbheek

Nirbheek[4] (lit. "fearless")[6] is a six-shot cylinder double-action revolver designed and manufactured by the Ordnance Factories Organization in Kanpur, India.[7][8]

Indian Ordnance Factories Nirbheek
Nirbheek revolver & 6 bullets
TypeRevolver
Place of originIndia
Production history
ManufacturerIndian Ordnance Factories via Field Gun Factory, Kanpur[1]
Unit costINR 122,360[2]
ProducedJanuary 6, 2014–present
No. built
  • 10 (January 2014)
  • 28 (2015)[3]
  • 3,000 (2018)[4]
  • 2,500 (2019)[5]
Specifications
Mass525 g (19 oz)
Length177.8 mm (7 in)
Barrel length76.2 mm (3 in)
Cartridge.32 S&W Long (7.65×23mm)
ActionDouble-action revolver, break action
Effective firing range50 m (164 ft)
Feed system6-shot Cylinder
SightsFront sight–blade, rear sight-‘U’

It was sold at INR 122,360 or $USD 2,000.[2]

History

The Nirbheek is marketed as India's first gun for women and it is named after Nirbheek, the alias given to a 23-year-old woman who was gang raped in Delhi on December 16, 2012, later dying of her injuries.[9][10] The victim's alias Nirbhaya and the revolver's name, Nirbheek, both mean "fearless" in Hindi. The gun is illegal to carry in public in India without a permit, but these are almost impossible to obtain.[11]

In 2014, it was reported that 100 women made bookings to purchase the revolver.[12]

In 2015, it was reported that men were the majority of buyers that purchased the Nirbheek.[13]

In 2016, buyers from Punjab lined up to purchase the Nirbheek.[14]

Criticism

The weapon attracted widespread criticism from women's groups and gun control advocates. They said that the 'revolver for women' was an insult to the memory of Nirbhaya, the victim, and it could not be the solution to violence against women.[11][15] One gun control advocacy group said that they 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.[11]

The factory's general manager said that the gun would increase women's confidence and deter attackers. Critics say 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 but since these groups are not the most vulnerable (most of them use their own vehicle and do not need public transport), them having guns would not solve the problem. Carrying guns in public places in most parts of India are prohibited.[16]

In addition, Indian men are able to get a firearm license due to the bureaucracy of Indian firearm licensing system.[6]

Design

The gun is black, slim and lightweight, with a titanium-alloy body and wooden grips.[17][3] It weighs 0.5 kg and it is said it could be carried in a purse or bag.[16]

The simple mechanism is thought to have been based on earlier designs by Webley & Scott and Smith & Wesson.[3] While the Nirbheek has a range of 10 meters, it is effective to be used at 15 meters.[17]

See also

References
  1. "Our Products". Field Gun Factory, Kanpur. November 8, 2019. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020.
  2. "India manufactures revolver against rapists". Morocco World News. January 10, 2014. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014.
  3. Terrill, Daniel (March 23, 2015). "India's First Gun For Women' Fares Well Among Men". Guns.com.
  4. Menon, Shailesh (July 11, 2018). "Nirbheek: Contrary to expectations, men major buyers of short-muzzled revolver priced Rs 1.35 lakh a piece". The Economic Times.
  5. "Nirbheek revolver, designed for women, has sold 2,500 pieces". July 20, 2019.
  6. "India's light-weight gun for women slammed as 'abhorrent'". January 14, 2014.
  7. "Nirbheek, India's first gun for women". The Times of India. January 21, 2014. Archived from the original on January 12, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  8. "Indian Government Markets New Handgun To Deter Rape: 'First Gun For Women'". Guns.com. January 21, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  9. "A gun designed for Indian women". BBC. January 17, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  10. "Nirbheek Is India's First Revolver Designed For Women". Forbes. January 13, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  11. Quigley, J.T. (January 15, 2014). "Nirbheek: India's Anti-Rape Gun Draws Widespread Criticism". TheDiplomat.com. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  12. "Gun for women in India". March 28, 2014.
  13. "India's first gun for women proves a hit - but only among men". March 20, 2015.
  14. "Buyers from Punjab queue up for 'Nirbheek'". The Times of India. April 8, 2016.
  15. "India plans to sell a handgun designed for women". Public Radio International. January 20, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  16. "Can a gun protect India's women from rape and violence?". The Guardian. January 19, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  17. "Nirbheek 32 (7.65) Revolver" (PDF). Ordnance Factory Board. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 15, 2017.
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