Own a handgun in China today

Owning a handgun in China today is not an option for most citizens, as the country has strict gun control laws that severely limit access to firearms. The Chinese government has long maintained a policy of tight regulation of guns, and this has been reinforced in recent years through a series of new laws and regulations.

According to Chinese law, only law enforcement personnel and members of the military are allowed to own firearms. In order to acquire a firearm, one must first obtain a special license from the government, which is only granted to those with a legitimate need for a gun, such as security personnel. Even then, the firearms that are available for purchase are highly restricted in terms of their type, caliber, and capacity.

This strict regulation of firearms has been largely effective in reducing crime and violence in China. According to a 2019 report by the Small Arms Survey, China has one of the lowest rates of gun-related deaths in the world, with only 0.01 firearm-related deaths per 100,000 people. This is in contrast to the United States, which has one of the highest rates of gun-related deaths in the world, with 12.21 firearm-related deaths per 100,000 people.

However, there are some who argue that the strict gun control laws in China have also had negative consequences. Critics argue that the lack of access to firearms has made it difficult for citizens to defend themselves against criminals, leading to an increase in violent crime. Additionally, there are concerns that the government’s strict control of firearms could be used to suppress political dissent, as has been seen in other countries with similarly strict gun control laws.

Despite these concerns, it is unlikely that China will significantly loosen its gun control laws in the near future. The government has been steadfast in its commitment to maintaining strict control over firearms, and there is little public support for loosening these regulations. As such, owning a handgun in China today remains a highly restricted and unlikely possibility for most citizens.