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China — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

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StockpilesGun Numbers

Civilian Guns

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms

The estimated total number of guns held by civilians in China is 40,000,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in China is 4.91 firearms per 100 people

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, China ranked at No. 32

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Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World Ranking

In a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 178 countries, China ranked at No. 1021

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in China is reported to be 680,0002

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in China is 0.053

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of China are reported to have 41,000,0004 to 48,480,0005 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in China are reported to have 1,950,0006 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn China, annual homicides by any means total

2008: 14,8117
2007: 16,119
2006: 17,973
2005: 20,770
2004: 24,711
2003: 24,393
2002: 26,276

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Rate of Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)

ChartIn China, the annual rate of homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2008: 1.17
2007: 1.27 8
2006: 1.4
2005: 1.6
2004: 1.9
2003: 1.9
2002: 2.0
2001: 2.168
2000: 2.25
1999: 2.19
1998: 2.23
1997: 2.14
1996: 2.11
1995: 2.27

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Suicides (any method)

In China, annual suicides by any means total

1999: 178,6759

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Rate of Suicide per 100,000 People (any method)

In China, the annual rate of suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

1999: 13.709

ProductionGun Industry

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Regulation of Firearm Makers

In China, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence10

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Small Arms Manufacture - World Ranking

In a classification of the world's small, medium and major firearm manufacturers, China is ranked 'major'11

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

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Regulation of Firearm Exports

In China, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 12 13 14 15

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from China is reported to be US$19,344,55016 (2011)

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Small Arms Exports - World Ranking

In a comparison of the world's major/mid-level/minor/unknown small arms exporters, China is categorized as 'mid-level'17

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Regulation of Firearm Imports

In China, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 12

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to China is reported to be US$5,513,49616 (2011)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in China is moderate18 19

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Market Cost of an AK-47 Assault Rifle (US$)

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in China is reported to be US$35020

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In China, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law21

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in China include22 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use

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Transparency of Small Arms Transfers

In the most recent survey of state transparency when declaring firearm and ammunition exports, China was ranked number 41 among 49 major small arms exporting nations in 2011, with a score of 8.00 points of a possible total of 2523

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in China is categorised as restrictive24

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in China includes the Law on the Control of Firearms 199625, Firearm Regulation and the Public Security Organs26 18

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Right to Possess Firearms

In China, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law27

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In China, civilians are not allowed to possess any firearms28

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In China, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited28

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In China, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is prohibited28

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Regulation of Handguns

In China, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted for hunting with permission only18

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Gun Owner Licensing

In China, no civilian (private ownership prohibited, Govt.-issued firearms are allocated to those in genuine need)29 30 28 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Genuine Reason Required for Firearm Licence

Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in China are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, sports shooting, animal control (strictly restricted)30

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in China must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental and domestic violence18 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In China, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required27

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in China stipulates18 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In China, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is required31 for a firearm licence

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Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in China are permitted to possess only the nature and number of firearms distributed by the State29 28

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In China, the law requires32 33 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

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Gun Dealer Record Keeping

In China, licensed firearm dealers are required32 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In China, State agencies are required32 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In China, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited10 28

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In China, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful10 28

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Limit on Gun Dealer Sales

In China, the number and type of firearms which can be sold by a licensed gun dealer to a single gun owner is limited to the number of firearms and ammunition specified in the special permit issued public security organs under the people's government at provincial level10

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Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In China, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined27

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Regulation of Gun Shows

In China, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are regulated28 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in China include34 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Dealer

Firearm regulations in China do not include27 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Government

Government regulations in China include35 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in China include36 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm Marking

In China, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law37 38

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Firearm Tracing

In China, state authorities carry out39 40 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Ballistic Marking of Firearms and Ammunition

In China, state authorities do not employ27 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In China, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed without a permit (with some restrictions)18

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In China, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is allowed without a permit, with some restrictions18

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In China, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is up to 2 years prison41

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Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

Authorities in China are known to have42 implemented voluntary firearm surrender schemes, and/or weapon seizure programmes in order to reduce the number of illicit firearms in circulation

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Small Arms Destroyed

In China, the total number of firearms destroyed following recent amnesty, collection and seizure programmes is reported to be 291,00042

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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In China, it is state policy42 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

At the resumption of the most recent session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (UNCCPCJ), a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council mandated to promote action to prevent national and transnational crime, China was listed as an elected member for a three-year term of office43

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, China abstained from endorsing44 negotiations towards a legally binding Arms Trade Treaty. In this vote, 151 UN Member States supported talks on an ATT, with 1 voting against, 20 abstentions, and 20 non-votes

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United Nations Firearms Protocol

The United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition has been signed, but not yet ratified45 by China

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, China committed to a consensus decision of the United Nations to adopt, support and implement the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects46

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, China has submitted one or more national reports47 40 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In China, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated48 40

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In China, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated40

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been donated40 by China to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided40 to China by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, China has not declared2 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, China has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194549

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list50 China as a Participating State

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34.

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