Two men fired three shots at a pizza outlet in Ludhiana late on 18 August. Police are examining CCTV footage and a social media post claiming responsibility for the firing. The incident has also raised questions about firearm ownership in Punjab. According to 2023 data reported by The Indian Express, Punjab had 3,45,396 licensed arms holders and 4,38,676 registered weapons. Ludhiana recorded Punjab’s highest number of Arms Act cases that year, with 87 cases. Of these, 83 involved illegal or unlicensed weapons. Punjab law requires a licence to acquire, possess or carry a firearm.