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2012-10-17

Added 2026-08-12 · Updated 2026-08-14

BRPD Circular Letter No. 11: Policy on Issuing License and Renewal of Firearms for Banks

The document establishes a comprehensive policy for the issuance and renewal of firearms licenses for scheduled banks and approved financial institutions in Bangladesh, categorizing branches into three tiers based on cash reserve limits to determine the maximum number of permitted firearms. It mandates that licenses be issued by the District Magistrate, requires one gun and one gunman per armored vehicle, and imposes strict conditions including the purchase of firearms within five years of licensing to avoid automatic cancellation. The policy further details application procedures, security requirements for new branches, and the obligation to maintain trained personnel and valid permits for all armed staff.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh Bank

Ref: BRPD Circular Letter No. 11 Banking Regulation and Policy Department Bangladesh Bank Head Office Dhaka.

October 17, 2012 BRPD Circular Letter No. 11 Date: --------------------------- Date: 02, 1419 Bangla

To, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer All Scheduled Banks operating in Bangladesh

Dear Sir, Policy on Issuing and Renewing Licenses for Firearms in Banks.

Reference is drawn to the subject cited above.

A copy of File No. Bibidh-13(9)/2008(Raj-4)(Part-1)/1045 dated August 26, 2012, of the Ministry of Home Affairs, is reproduced below for your information and necessary action.

You are requested to follow the instructions mentioned below and ensure their implementation. These instructions will take effect immediately.

Please accept the assurances of our highest consideration.

Yours faithfully, Signed/- (Khandakar Morshed Milson) Deputy General Manager Phone: 9530292

Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Ministry of Home Affairs File No. Bibidh-13(9)/2008(Raj-4)(Part-1)/1045 Date: 26/08/2012 AD Circular

Subject: Policy on Issuing and Renewing Licenses for Firearms in Approved Financial Institutions and Banks.

A comprehensive policy is hereby issued to consolidate all circulars/office orders/notices issued from time to time regarding the issuance and renewal of firearms licenses for approved financial institutions and banks in the country.

Bank branches or financial institutions are divided into three categories based on the cash reserve limit of the branch:

Category	Cash Reserve Limit	Number of Rifles/Shotguns	Number of Ammunition
A	Up to 1 Crore Taka	02	Up to 20
B	More than 1 Crore Taka but less than 5 Crore Taka	03	Up to 30
C	More than 5 Crore Taka	04	Up to 40

Regarding which category the applying institutions fall under according to the table above, the Head Office of the respective institution must verify and issue a certificate stating the number of firearms required.

For the branch of a bank/institution where firearms are required, the District Magistrate of the relevant district will issue the license in the name of that bank/institution branch.
For each of the institution's own vehicles employed in its own transport, one firearm and one gunman must be arranged. For this purpose, if additional firearms are required beyond the number applicable according to the category mentioned in paragraph 1 for cash feeding and sub-feeding branches, the institution's Head Office must issue a certificate stating the same.
Branches of banks/institutions located in char areas, char-adjacent areas, desert areas, or special risk areas, if located more than 5 km from the nearest police station, may keep one additional firearm. In this case, a certificate from the Head Office of the respective bank/institution will be required.
At the time of opening a bank/institution branch, the Branch Manager will send the necessary information along with the application for the license of the prescribed number of firearms for that branch to the Ministry of Home Affairs through the District Magistrate within the shortest possible time. In this case, the certificate of opening a new branch, instructions of the Head Office regarding firearm purchase, type of preferred firearms, layout and manpower of the applied bank branch/institution, tax-related information, security description of the bank/institution, police report on vehicles, life history of vehicles, vehicle weapon operation certificates, house rent agreements, etc., must be attached with the application. However, security of the branch must be ensured through internal coordination during the period between the start of branch operations and the receipt of the firearm license.
If firearms are not purchased within 5 (five) years of obtaining the firearm license, the license will be considered automatically cancelled. A cancelled license cannot be renewed.
In the matter of issuing firearm licenses in favor of banks/institutions, the application along with the name of the institution, address, type of weapon, number of currently owned firearms, certificate of opening the branch, instructions of the Head Office regarding firearm purchase, life history and police report of the weapon retainer, number of officers who have received weapon training and training certificates, must be submitted to the office of the District Magistrate for the consideration of the government. These institutions will apply to the District Magistrate to appoint retainers from among their employees who are eligible to obtain weapon licenses (except for tax payment) for the licenses issued in favor of the institution.
At least one additional gunman must be employed in each branch for each firearm.
If the position of gunman becomes vacant for any reason, the police verification report and the armed gunman's weapon operation certificate must be submitted to the District Magistrate at the time of appointment to the vacant position.
Permits must be renewed every two years. In this case, the old permit must be submitted to the District Magistrate.

Signed/- (Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed) Joint Secretary (Political) Ministry of Home Affairs