Ministry to crack down on gun, explosive crimes

National police will strengthen efforts to combat gun and explosive–related crimes after a recent spate of gun-related incidents, according to the Ministry of Public Security on Friday.

Figures provided by the Ministry of Public Security show that between 2009 and 2013, gun or explosive-related crimes had fallen by 35 percent and 25 percent, respectively, compared with the previous five years.

In 2003, the numbers hit a record low, decreasing by 37.9 percent and 34.2 percent, data showed.

But since January, a rise in gun–related and explosives crimes in Shaanxi, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces have caused many casualties.

Once such crimes mix with terrorism, drugs and gambling, it will bring serious harm to the society, said Huang Ming, vice–minister of public security .

"We will firmly and resolutely fight against gun-related crimes to ensure the country's long-term stability," he said.

Yan Zhengbin, deputy director of the ministry's public security management bureau, said they will enhance efforts to investigate and confiscate illegal guns and explosives in individuals' hands.

In the meantime, they will conduct investigations in key areas and regions, such as Beijing, Guangdong, Yunnan and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, while enhancing checks at border frontiers, logistics express and traffic to prevent guns smuggling, Yan said

Moreover, they will strictly control easy-to-manufacture guns and explosives, as well as follow up on information published on the Internet, in forums, QQ groups and micro-blogs, he added.

Dai Peng, director of the criminal investigation department at People's Public Security University of China, said, "The key to combating such crimes is to actively investigate to search for clues and use technological means to collect intelligence."

Moreover, police should cooperate with other departments, including postal, transportation and aviation sectors, to crack down on smuggling of guns and explosives, Yan said.