>>40775189In China, civilian gun ownership is heavily restricted, and it is estimated that there are around 49.7 million civilian-held firearms. This places China third globally in terms of civilian gun ownership, following the United States and India, according to Statista. However, due to China's strict gun control laws, gun ownership is largely limited to specific groups such as the military, police, and certain authorized individuals like hunters and shooting range participants, according to China Justice Observer and Wikipedia.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Strict Gun Control: China has some of the strictest gun control laws in the world, making civilian gun ownership extremely rare.
Limited Exceptions: While civilian gun ownership is largely prohibited, there are limited exceptions for specific groups and scenarios. These include:
Military and Police: Members of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the People's Armed Police Force (PAPF), and the militia are authorized to carry firearms.
Official Use: Police, full-time guards, and escorts of specific entities may be armed when performing their duties.
Civilian Use (Limited): Individuals involved in activities like shooting competitions, hunting, herding, or wildlife management may be authorized to possess firearms under specific circumstances.
Basha Village Exception: An exception exists in the village of Basha, where the Miao ethnic group is permitted to possess guns due to historical and cultural reasons.
Low Gun Violence: China has one of the lowest rates of gun violence in the world, reflecting the effectiveness of its gun control measures.