Shenzhen police urge voluntary surrender of illegal firearms before Sept. 30

Shenzhen police have urged residents to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms and other prohibited weapons before Sept. 30, saying those who comply by the deadline may qualify for reduced or exempted penalties under Chinese law.

Items seized during a Shenzhen police operation targeting illegal firearms and related offences are displayed in this undated handout photo released by authorities. Shenzhen police said they had dismantled several groups involved in the illegal manufacture and sale of firearm-related equipment, arresting 28 suspects and seizing firearms, gun barrel manufacturing equipment and more than 1,800 pellet moulds, as authorities in Guangdong stepped up a province-wide campaign against gun- and explosives-related crime. Photo from WeChat account “深圳大件事"

The appeal follows a joint notice issued by the Guangdong Higher People's Court, the Guangdong Provincial People's Procuratorate and the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department as part of the province's "Thunder Escort" campaign targeting gun- and explosives-related offences.

According to Shenzhen police, the campaign aims to remove illegal firearms, ammunition, explosive materials, imitation firearms, crossbows and controlled knives from circulation while cracking down on related criminal activities.

Voluntary surrender encouraged

The notice says the illegal manufacture, sale, transportation, mailing, storage or possession of firearms, ammunition, explosive materials, imitation firearms, crossbows and controlled knives is prohibited under Chinese law.

Authorities urged anyone possessing such items to surrender them voluntarily to local police.

Individuals who surrender themselves or voluntarily hand over illegal items before Sept. 30, 2026, may receive lighter, reduced or exempted criminal punishment if their conduct constitutes a crime. Those whose actions constitute public security violations rather than criminal offences may receive reduced administrative penalties or no administrative punishment, according to the notice.

Authorities warned that those who fail to cease illegal activities or surrender prohibited items before the deadline will face stricter punishment in accordance with the law.

Weapons covered by the notice

The notice defines firearms as including military firearms, hunting guns, sporting firearms, tranquilizer guns, air guns, paintball guns, powder-fired guns, electromagnetic guns, as well as firearm components.

Explosive materials include explosives, detonators, safety fuses, detonating cords, seismic charges, black powder, pyrotechnic compositions, grenades, landmines and hazardous chemicals listed as explosive precursors.

Controlled knives covered by the notice include daggers, triangular-edged knives and spring-operated knives equipped with self-locking mechanisms. Crossbows are defined as mechanical devices that propel arrows.

Prohibited activities

The notice prohibits the illegal manufacture, sale, transportation, mailing or storage of firearms, ammunition, explosive materials and crossbows; the illegal possession or concealment of firearms, ammunition or explosive materials; the theft, robbery or smuggling of such items; carrying firearms, ammunition, explosive materials, crossbows or controlled knives into public places or onto public transportation; manufacturing or selling imitation firearms; the illegal manufacture, sale or delivery of controlled knives; and using firearms, imitation firearms, crossbows or controlled knives in illegal entertainment activities.

It also prohibits producing or disseminating online information related to illegal firearms, ammunition, explosive materials, crossbows and controlled knives.

Public reporting

Shenzhen police encouraged members of the public to report offences involving illegal firearms, ammunition, explosive materials, imitation firearms, crossbows and controlled knives by calling the police emergency hotline 110 or reporting them to the nearest police station.

Police said informants whose information contributes to investigations may receive rewards under relevant regulations, while those who conceal offenders or assist in destroying or fabricating evidence will be held legally accountable.