Gun Control Legislation of the People's Republic of China

On June 27, 1951, the Ministry of Public Security of the 
People's Republic of China promulgated the "Provisional Measures 
Governing the Control of Guns," 1/ which superseded all previous 
legislation on gun control. Its Article 1 defines "guns" as 
referring to all kinds of firearms, with the exception of hunting 
guns. 

Many of the articles of these measures were aimed at 
identifying and gaining control of the large number of guns which 
were within the borders of China as result of the long period of 
war which preceded the institution of the present government. 

Article 15 stipulates:
After these measures are promulgated, the local 
people's public security organs together with other government 
organs must take the inventory within a defined period of 
all guns currently in existence so that gun permits may be 
issued to authorized personnel.

Categories of persons whose members could be authorized to carry guns 
were specified in Article 7:
In addition to military personnel on active duty, 
the following personnel may carry guns:
(1) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission form the proper organs, those 
with the rank of section head or above of a people's

1/
Chung hua jen min kung ho kuo yu kuan kung an kung tso 
fa kuei hui pien [Collection of laws and regulations relating to 
public security work in the People's Republic of China3, Peking, 
Ch'ün chung ch'u pan she [Mass Press], 1958, pp. 51-56.Gun Control Legislation of the People's Republic of China

On June 27, 1951, the Ministry of Public Security of the 
People's Republic of China promulgated the "Provisional Measures 
Governing the Control of Guns," 1/ which superseded all previous 
legislation on gun control. Its Article 1 defines "guns" as 
referring to all kinds of firearms, with the exception of hunting 
guns. 

Many of the articles of these measures were aimed at 
identifying and gaining control of the large number of guns which 
were within the borders of China as result of the long period of 
war which preceded the institution of the present government. 

Article 15 stipulates:
After these measures are promulgated, the local 
people's public security organs together with other government 
organs must take the inventory within a defined period of 
all guns currently in existence so that gun permits may be 
issued to authorized personnel.

Categories of persons whose members could be authorized to carry guns 
were specified in Article 7:
In addition to military personnel on active duty, 
the following personnel may carry guns:
(1) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission form the proper organs, those 
with the rank of section head or above of a people's

1/
Chung hua jen min kung ho kuo yu kuan kung an kung tso 
fa kuei hui pien [Collection of laws and regulations relating to 
public security work in the People's Republic of China3, Peking, 
Ch'ün chung ch'u pan she [Mass Press], 1958, pp. 51-56.Gun Control Legislation of the People's Republic of China

On June 27, 1951, the Ministry of Public Security of the 
People's Republic of China promulgated the "Provisional Measures 
Governing the Control of Guns," 1/ which superseded all previous 
legislation on gun control. Its Article 1 defines "guns" as 
referring to all kinds of firearms, with the exception of hunting 
guns. 

Many of the articles of these measures were aimed at 
identifying and gaining control of the large number of guns which 
were within the borders of China as result of the long period of 
war which preceded the institution of the present government. 

Article 15 stipulates:
After these measures are promulgated, the local 
people's public security organs together with other government 
organs must take the inventory within a defined period of 
all guns currently in existence so that gun permits may be 
issued to authorized personnel.

Categories of persons whose members could be authorized to carry guns 
were specified in Article 7:
In addition to military personnel on active duty, 
the following personnel may carry guns:
(1) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission form the proper organs, those 
with the rank of section head or above of a people's

1/
Chung hua jen min kung ho kuo yu kuan kung an kung tso 
fa kuei hui pien [Collection of laws and regulations relating to 
public security work in the People's Republic of China3, Peking, 
Ch'ün chung ch'u pan she [Mass Press], 1958, pp. 51-56.Gun Control Legislation of the People's Republic of China

On June 27, 1951, the Ministry of Public Security of the 
People's Republic of China promulgated the "Provisional Measures 
Governing the Control of Guns," 1/ which superseded all previous 
legislation on gun control. Its Article 1 defines "guns" as 
referring to all kinds of firearms, with the exception of hunting 
guns. 

Many of the articles of these measures were aimed at 
identifying and gaining control of the large number of guns which 
were within the borders of China as result of the long period of 
war which preceded the institution of the present government. 

Article 15 stipulates:
After these measures are promulgated, the local 
people's public security organs together with other government 
organs must take the inventory within a defined period of 
all guns currently in existence so that gun permits may be 
issued to authorized personnel.

Categories of persons whose members could be authorized to carry guns 
were specified in Article 7:
In addition to military personnel on active duty, 
the following personnel may carry guns:
(1) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission form the proper organs, those 
with the rank of section head or above of a people's

1/
Chung hua jen min kung ho kuo yu kuan kung an kung tso 
fa kuei hui pien [Collection of laws and regulations relating to 
public security work in the People's Republic of China3, Peking, 
Ch'ün chung ch'u pan she [Mass Press], 1958, pp. 51-56.Gun Control Legislation of the People's Republic of China

On June 27, 1951, the Ministry of Public Security of the 
People's Republic of China promulgated the "Provisional Measures 
Governing the Control of Guns," 1/ which superseded all previous 
legislation on gun control. Its Article 1 defines "guns" as 
referring to all kinds of firearms, with the exception of hunting 
guns. 

Many of the articles of these measures were aimed at 
identifying and gaining control of the large number of guns which 
were within the borders of China as result of the long period of 
war which preceded the institution of the present government. 

Article 15 stipulates:
After these measures are promulgated, the local 
people's public security organs together with other government 
organs must take the inventory within a defined period of 
all guns currently in existence so that gun permits may be 
issued to authorized personnel.

Categories of persons whose members could be authorized to carry guns 
were specified in Article 7:
In addition to military personnel on active duty, 
the following personnel may carry guns:
(1) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission form the proper organs, those 
with the rank of section head or above of a people's

1/
Chung hua jen min kung ho kuo yu kuan kung an kung tso 
fa kuei hui pien [Collection of laws and regulations relating to 
public security work in the People's Republic of China3, Peking, 
Ch'ün chung ch'u pan she [Mass Press], 1958, pp. 51-56.PRC-2

government at the level of shih [city] or hsien 
[county] or above.

(2) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission from the head of the hsien, 
the primary responsible cadres of the people's
 government at the ch'ü [a subdivision of the hsien]
level.

(3) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission from the head of the people's 
public security organ at the shih or hsien level 
or above, public security personnel at the various 
levels.

(4) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission from the proper organs at the 
shih or hsien level or above, the guards of the 
communicattions and telecommunications personnel of 
various organs and of the chief of such organs, and 
other cadres not covered by the provisions of 
sections 1 and 2.

(5) If it is necessary to their work or training and 
after having received permission from responsible 
persons at the school or moreover the agreement 
of the people's public security organ at the shih 
or hsien level or above, higher level cadre schools 
and classes which have a military nature.

Article 8 presides that without special permission the personnel of 
publicly operated factories, stores, enterprises and mass organizations; 
and teachers and students of non-military schools are not allowedtoo
carry guns.
By the provisions of Article 9, guns presently in the 
possession of personnel of various organs, groups, and enterprises 
who did not meet the requirements stated in Articles 7 and 8 werePRC-2

government at the level of shih [city] or hsien 
[county] or above.

(2) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission from the head of the hsien, 
the primary responsible cadres of the people's
 government at the ch'ü [a subdivision of the hsien]
level.

(3) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission from the head of the people's 
public security organ at the shih or hsien level 
or above, public security personnel at the various 
levels.

(4) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission from the proper organs at the 
shih or hsien level or above, the guards of the 
communicattions and telecommunications personnel of 
various organs and of the chief of such organs, and 
other cadres not covered by the provisions of 
sections 1 and 2.

(5) If it is necessary to their work or training and 
after having received permission from responsible 
persons at the school or moreover the agreement 
of the people's public security organ at the shih 
or hsien level or above, higher level cadre schools 
and classes which have a military nature.

Article 8 presides that without special permission the personnel of 
publicly operated factories, stores, enterprises and mass organizations; 
and teachers and students of non-military schools are not allowedtoo
carry guns.
By the provisions of Article 9, guns presently in the 
possession of personnel of various organs, groups, and enterprises 
who did not meet the requirements stated in Articles 7 and 8 werePRC-2

government at the level of shih [city] or hsien 
[county] or above.

(2) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission from the head of the hsien, 
the primary responsible cadres of the people's
 government at the ch'ü [a subdivision of the hsien]
level.

(3) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission from the head of the people's 
public security organ at the shih or hsien level 
or above, public security personnel at the various 
levels.

(4) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission from the proper organs at the 
shih or hsien level or above, the guards of the 
communicattions and telecommunications personnel of 
various organs and of the chief of such organs, and 
other cadres not covered by the provisions of 
sections 1 and 2.

(5) If it is necessary to their work or training and 
after having received permission from responsible 
persons at the school or moreover the agreement 
of the people's public security organ at the shih 
or hsien level or above, higher level cadre schools 
and classes which have a military nature.

Article 8 presides that without special permission the personnel of 
publicly operated factories, stores, enterprises and mass organizations; 
and teachers and students of non-military schools are not allowedtoo
carry guns.
By the provisions of Article 9, guns presently in the 
possession of personnel of various organs, groups, and enterprises 
who did not meet the requirements stated in Articles 7 and 8 werePRC-2

government at the level of shih [city] or hsien 
[county] or above.

(2) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission from the head of the hsien, 
the primary responsible cadres of the people's
 government at the ch'ü [a subdivision of the hsien]
level.

(3) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission from the head of the people's 
public security organ at the shih or hsien level 
or above, public security personnel at the various 
levels.

(4) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission from the proper organs at the 
shih or hsien level or above, the guards of the 
communicattions and telecommunications personnel of 
various organs and of the chief of such organs, and 
other cadres not covered by the provisions of 
sections 1 and 2.

(5) If it is necessary to their work or training and 
after having received permission from responsible 
persons at the school or moreover the agreement 
of the people's public security organ at the shih 
or hsien level or above, higher level cadre schools 
and classes which have a military nature.

Article 8 presides that without special permission the personnel of 
publicly operated factories, stores, enterprises and mass organizations; 
and teachers and students of non-military schools are not allowedtoo
carry guns.
By the provisions of Article 9, guns presently in the 
possession of personnel of various organs, groups, and enterprises 
who did not meet the requirements stated in Articles 7 and 8 werePRC-2

government at the level of shih [city] or hsien 
[county] or above.

(2) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission from the head of the hsien, 
the primary responsible cadres of the people's
 government at the ch'ü [a subdivision of the hsien]
level.

(3) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission from the head of the people's 
public security organ at the shih or hsien level 
or above, public security personnel at the various 
levels.

(4) If it is necessary to their work and after having 
received permission from the proper organs at the 
shih or hsien level or above, the guards of the 
communicattions and telecommunications personnel of 
various organs and of the chief of such organs, and 
other cadres not covered by the provisions of 
sections 1 and 2.

(5) If it is necessary to their work or training and 
after having received permission from responsible 
persons at the school or moreover the agreement 
of the people's public security organ at the shih 
or hsien level or above, higher level cadre schools 
and classes which have a military nature.

Article 8 presides that without special permission the personnel of 
publicly operated factories, stores, enterprises and mass organizations; 
and teachers and students of non-military schools are not allowedtoo
carry guns.
By the provisions of Article 9, guns presently in the 
possession of personnel of various organs, groups, and enterprises 
who did not meet the requirements stated in Articles 7 and 8 werePRC-3

to be surrendered to the people's governments at the hsien level or 
above. In Article 10 it was ruled that privately operated enterprises 
having guns must apply for a gun permit for such guns; if 
this application was denied, the guns were to be confiscated.

Those carrying guns were required by Article 11 to obtain 
a gun permit, which was to contain the following particulars about 
its bearer and the gun for which it was issued:  name, age, sex, 
place of birth, residence, organ, occupation, type of gun, serial 
number, identifying marks (of gun), quantity of ammunition, and 
expiration date.  With the exception of members of the militia, who might substitute a fingerprint, a picture of its bearer was to be displayed on the gun permit.

Article 13 counseled that those carrying guns must: (1) 
take special care to prevent the loss of their guns; (2) in case of 
losss, report it immediately to the people's public security organ, 
at which time they were to surrender their gun permit; (3) never 
lend their gun, give it as a gift, or exchange it; (4) carry their 
gun permit whenever carrying the gun for which it was issued; (5) 
allow their gun or permit for inspection on demand to public 
security personnel or armed forces personnel; (6) in case of loss 
of the gun permit, insert an announcement in the newspaper to 
invalidate the lost permit, and report to the public security organ 
for the issuance of a new permit.PRC-3

to be surrendered to the people's governments at the hsien level or 
above. In Article 10 it was ruled that privately operated enterprises 
having guns must apply for a gun permit for such guns; if 
this application was denied, the guns were to be confiscated.

Those carrying guns were required by Article 11 to obtain 
a gun permit, which was to contain the following particulars about 
its bearer and the gun for which it was issued:  name, age, sex, 
place of birth, residence, organ, occupation, type of gun, serial 
number, identifying marks (of gun), quantity of ammunition, and 
expiration date.  With the exception of members of the militia, who might substitute a fingerprint, a picture of its bearer was to be displayed on the gun permit.

Article 13 counseled that those carrying guns must: (1) 
take special care to prevent the loss of their guns; (2) in case of 
losss, report it immediately to the people's public security organ, 
at which time they were to surrender their gun permit; (3) never 
lend their gun, give it as a gift, or exchange it; (4) carry their 
gun permit whenever carrying the gun for which it was issued; (5) 
allow their gun or permit for inspection on demand to public 
security personnel or armed forces personnel; (6) in case of loss 
of the gun permit, insert an announcement in the newspaper to 
invalidate the lost permit, and report to the public security organ 
for the issuance of a new permit.PRC-3

to be surrendered to the people's governments at the hsien level or 
above. In Article 10 it was ruled that privately operated enterprises 
having guns must apply for a gun permit for such guns; if 
this application was denied, the guns were to be confiscated.

Those carrying guns were required by Article 11 to obtain 
a gun permit, which was to contain the following particulars about 
its bearer and the gun for which it was issued:  name, age, sex, 
place of birth, residence, organ, occupation, type of gun, serial 
number, identifying marks (of gun), quantity of ammunition, and 
expiration date.  With the exception of members of the militia, who might substitute a fingerprint, a picture of its bearer was to be displayed on the gun permit.

Article 13 counseled that those carrying guns must: (1) 
take special care to prevent the loss of their guns; (2) in case of 
losss, report it immediately to the people's public security organ, 
at which time they were to surrender their gun permit; (3) never 
lend their gun, give it as a gift, or exchange it; (4) carry their 
gun permit whenever carrying the gun for which it was issued; (5) 
allow their gun or permit for inspection on demand to public 
security personnel or armed forces personnel; (6) in case of loss 
of the gun permit, insert an announcement in the newspaper to 
invalidate the lost permit, and report to the public security organ 
for the issuance of a new permit.PRC-3

to be surrendered to the people's governments at the hsien level or 
above. In Article 10 it was ruled that privately operated enterprises 
having guns must apply for a gun permit for such guns; if 
this application was denied, the guns were to be confiscated.

Those carrying guns were required by Article 11 to obtain 
a gun permit, which was to contain the following particulars about 
its bearer and the gun for which it was issued:  name, age, sex, 
place of birth, residence, organ, occupation, type of gun, serial 
number, identifying marks (of gun), quantity of ammunition, and 
expiration date.  With the exception of members of the militia, who might substitute a fingerprint, a picture of its bearer was to be displayed on the gun permit.

Article 13 counseled that those carrying guns must: (1) 
take special care to prevent the loss of their guns; (2) in case of 
losss, report it immediately to the people's public security organ, 
at which time they were to surrender their gun permit; (3) never 
lend their gun, give it as a gift, or exchange it; (4) carry their 
gun permit whenever carrying the gun for which it was issued; (5) 
allow their gun or permit for inspection on demand to public 
security personnel or armed forces personnel; (6) in case of loss 
of the gun permit, insert an announcement in the newspaper to 
invalidate the lost permit, and report to the public security organ 
for the issuance of a new permit.PRC-3

to be surrendered to the people's governments at the hsien level or 
above. In Article 10 it was ruled that privately operated enterprises 
having guns must apply for a gun permit for such guns; if 
this application was denied, the guns were to be confiscated.

Those carrying guns were required by Article 11 to obtain 
a gun permit, which was to contain the following particulars about 
its bearer and the gun for which it was issued:  name, age, sex, 
place of birth, residence, organ, occupation, type of gun, serial 
number, identifying marks (of gun), quantity of ammunition, and 
expiration date.  With the exception of members of the militia, who might substitute a fingerprint, a picture of its bearer was to be displayed on the gun permit.

Article 13 counseled that those carrying guns must: (1) 
take special care to prevent the loss of their guns; (2) in case of 
losss, report it immediately to the people's public security organ, 
at which time they were to surrender their gun permit; (3) never 
lend their gun, give it as a gift, or exchange it; (4) carry their 
gun permit whenever carrying the gun for which it was issued; (5) 
allow their gun or permit for inspection on demand to public 
security personnel or armed forces personnel; (6) in case of loss 
of the gun permit, insert an announcement in the newspaper to 
invalidate the lost permit, and report to the public security organ 
for the issuance of a new permit.PRC-4

Control by the government of guns in the People's Republic
of China goes beyond the requirement and issuance of permits to
authorized personnel. Article 2 of these measures provides that
ammunition and guns can be manufactured and repaired only in state
factories and repair shops. Article 3 stipulates that only organs
designated by the state may buy or sell guns and ammunition.

Article 19 places responsibility for the enforcement
of these measures upon the Ministry of Public Security of the
People's Government. Without spelling out definite penalties,
Article 16 provides:

In case of violation of these measures, the
public security organs of the area must report the
case to the local people's government for punitive
action in accordance with the seriousness of the
offence.

It was provided in Article 18 that different regulations
were to be issued for the minority nationality areas.

Prepared by
Tao-tai Hsia, Chief, and
Kathryn Haun, Legal Research Assistant
Far Eastern Law Division
Law Library, Library of Congress
Washington, D. C. 20540
July 1973PRC-4

Control by the government of guns in the People's Republic
of China goes beyond the requirement and issuance of permits to
authorized personnel. Article 2 of these measures provides that
ammunition and guns can be manufactured and repaired only in state
factories and repair shops. Article 3 stipulates that only organs
designated by the state may buy or sell guns and ammunition.

Article 19 places responsibility for the enforcement
of these measures upon the Ministry of Public Security of the
People's Government. Without spelling out definite penalties,
Article 16 provides:

In case of violation of these measures, the
public security organs of the area must report the
case to the local people's government for punitive
action in accordance with the seriousness of the
offence.

It was provided in Article 18 that different regulations
were to be issued for the minority nationality areas.

Prepared by
Tao-tai Hsia, Chief, and
Kathryn Haun, Legal Research Assistant
Far Eastern Law Division
Law Library, Library of Congress
Washington, D. C. 20540
July 1973PRC-4

Control by the government of guns in the People's Republic
of China goes beyond the requirement and issuance of permits to
authorized personnel. Article 2 of these measures provides that
ammunition and guns can be manufactured and repaired only in state
factories and repair shops. Article 3 stipulates that only organs
designated by the state may buy or sell guns and ammunition.

Article 19 places responsibility for the enforcement
of these measures upon the Ministry of Public Security of the
People's Government. Without spelling out definite penalties,
Article 16 provides:

In case of violation of these measures, the
public security organs of the area must report the
case to the local people's government for punitive
action in accordance with the seriousness of the
offence.

It was provided in Article 18 that different regulations
were to be issued for the minority nationality areas.

Prepared by
Tao-tai Hsia, Chief, and
Kathryn Haun, Legal Research Assistant
Far Eastern Law Division
Law Library, Library of Congress
Washington, D. C. 20540
July 1973PRC-4

Control by the government of guns in the People's Republic
of China goes beyond the requirement and issuance of permits to
authorized personnel. Article 2 of these measures provides that
ammunition and guns can be manufactured and repaired only in state
factories and repair shops. Article 3 stipulates that only organs
designated by the state may buy or sell guns and ammunition.

Article 19 places responsibility for the enforcement
of these measures upon the Ministry of Public Security of the
People's Government. Without spelling out definite penalties,
Article 16 provides:

In case of violation of these measures, the
public security organs of the area must report the
case to the local people's government for punitive
action in accordance with the seriousness of the
offence.

It was provided in Article 18 that different regulations
were to be issued for the minority nationality areas.

Prepared by
Tao-tai Hsia, Chief, and
Kathryn Haun, Legal Research Assistant
Far Eastern Law Division
Law Library, Library of Congress
Washington, D. C. 20540
July 1973PRC-4

Control by the government of guns in the People's Republic
of China goes beyond the requirement and issuance of permits to
authorized personnel. Article 2 of these measures provides that
ammunition and guns can be manufactured and repaired only in state
factories and repair shops. Article 3 stipulates that only organs
designated by the state may buy or sell guns and ammunition.

Article 19 places responsibility for the enforcement
of these measures upon the Ministry of Public Security of the
People's Government. Without spelling out definite penalties,
Article 16 provides:

In case of violation of these measures, the
public security organs of the area must report the
case to the local people's government for punitive
action in accordance with the seriousness of the
offence.

It was provided in Article 18 that different regulations
were to be issued for the minority nationality areas.

Prepared by
Tao-tai Hsia, Chief, and
Kathryn Haun, Legal Research Assistant
Far Eastern Law Division
Law Library, Library of Congress
Washington, D. C. 20540
July 1973