Gun guidelines reduce punishments, case loads

Authorities put focus on power of weapon and owner's intentions

A move to clarify penalties for people caught with illegal firearms is not only stopping minor offenders from receiving overly harsh sentences but also preventing unnecessary prosecutions, legal experts say.

China introduced a guideline for judicial authorities on handling cases involving air guns on March 30, putting the focus on the weapon's power and the danger it poses rather than the number of firearms in a defendant's possession.