In pictures: 100,000 illegal guns seized across China

Around 250 tons of explosives were also seized in the nationwide coordinated operation targeting gun crime.

IN A COORDINATED operation yesterday, police officers in China seized over 100,000 illegal guns, 250 tons of explosives and a range of other illegal weapons in 150 cities across the country.

The weapons are being destroyed at special depots and collection points in an ongoing operation Chinese officials say is helping to seriously cut the country’s gun crime. Some of the weapons were handed in by members of the public.

China Daily reports that the national campaign targeting gun crime was launched in February and will continue until the end of the year, and that so far 7,800 suspects have been arrested in connection with the possession of illegal guns and explosives.

In pictures: 100,000 illegal guns seized across China

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Some of the knives and other sharp weapons confiscated in Nantong, Jiangsu Province yesterday. (Photo by Huang Zhe/ChinaFotoPress/PA)
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Police officers prepare to destroy confiscated illegal guns in Tangshan, Hebei Province of China. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/PA)
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More than 100,000 illegal guns and over 250 tons of explosives were confiscated in 150 cities across China on Tuesday. (Photo by Meng Delong/ChinaFotoPress/PA)
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Police guard the illegal weapons cache. (Photo by Meng Delong/ChinaFotoPress/PA)
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Some of the weapons in Zhengzhou, Henan Province of China. (Photo by Xiang Mingchao/ChinaFotoPress/PA)
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Illegal guns piled high in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. (Photo by Yming/ChinaFotoPress/PA)
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Illegal guns laid out by police in Tangshan, Hebei Province ahead of their destruction. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/PA)
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Weapons being destroyed by authorities in Yuxi, Yunnan Province. (Photo by Huang Xingneng/ChinaFotoPress/PA)
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Some of the weapons seized in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province yesterday. (Photo by Xu Yan/ChinaFotoPress/PA)
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Police officers prepare to destroy confiscated illegal guns on June 12, 2012 in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province of China. (Photo by Yming/ChinaFotoPress)
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Officers prepare to destroy confiscated illegal guns in Shenyang, Liaoning Province as part of a national unified operation. (Photo by Zhao Jingdong/ChinaFotoPress/PA)

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In pictures: 100,000 illegal guns seized across China

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A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.