The border districts of Tamil Nadu have always been susceptible to gun culture, mostly unlicensed weapons, though the reasons vary from extremism to protection from wild animals. Though the figures remain low compared to national data, the State has a history of armed violence involving banned outfits like the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Maoists, Al-Umma and Tamil Nadu Liberation Army. A few erstwhile zamindar families are also believed to be in possession of guns that they use for self-defence, hunting and poaching of wild animals.