(1) Any police officer or any other officer specially empowered in this behalf by the Central Government may demand the production of his licence from any person who is carrying any arms or ammunition.
(2) If the person upon whom a demand is made refuses or fails to produce the licence or to show that he is entitled by virtue of this Act or any other law for the time being in force to carry such arms or ammunition without a licence, the officer concerned may require him to give his name and address and if such officer considers it necessary, seize from that person the arms or ammunition which he is carrying.
(3) If that person refuses to give his name and address or if the officer concerned suspects that person of giving a false name or address or of intending to abscond, such officer may arrest him without warrant.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 19
Section 19 empowers police officers and authorized public servants to demand the production of an arms licence from any person carrying arms or ammunition, authorizing summary arrest without warrant upon refusal or supply of false identity.
In defense strategy, ascertain whether the arresting officer was in uniform and possessed lawful authority. If the client possessed a valid digital licence on NDAL-ALIS or DigiLocker, demonstrate that refusal to produce a physical card does not constitute a criminal offense under Section 19/25, provided identity and licence number were disclosed.