China orders handing-in of illegally-possessed guns, explosives

BEIJING, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities on Friday urged those who illegally possess guns, ammunition or explosives to hand in the items by the end of June.

According to a circular jointly released by the Ministry of Public Security, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, failing to do so by the deadline will result in harsher punishments.

Suspects can be considered for lighter or mitigated punishments or exemption from punishment if they voluntarily turn themselves in, confess, give in the guns and explosives they have, or provide information regarding others' violations, the circular said.

Citizens are encouraged to provide information on criminal activities involving guns, ammunition, explosives or replica guns, the circular said.

Chinese police have seized 32,000 illegal guns, 1.94 million bullets, 472 tonnes of gunpowder and 886,000 detonators so far this year, according to authorities.

Over 8,800 cases involving guns or explosives were handled, with more than 9,300 suspects arrested.

Among firearms and explosives seized, more than 50 percent were voluntarily handed in or tipped off by the public.

A total of 3.2 million yuan (about 500,000 U.S. dollars) has been given to award citizens for providing information. Enditem