Local man given probation for owning two pellet guns

A local man has been sentenced to six months of probation for owning two air rifles, Putuo District People's Court said Friday.

The defendant, surnamed Chen, spent 1,650 yuan ($269.60) to buy the two weapons online last year, according to a court press release. Under Chinese law, residents aren't allowed to own more than one air rifle, a weapon that uses compressed air to shoot plastic or metal pellets.

Chen said that he only planned to put the air rifles on his wall as home decorations, according to the court. However, lacking a nice wall mount for the weapons, he ended up just tossing them in his closet.

Chen kept the air rifles for six months until police officers knocked on his door one day following a tip. He was unaware he had committed a crime.

The judge said Chen was lucky that he only bought two of the air rifles. Owning five or more of the weapons carries a much more serious charge.

The court sentenced Chen to six months in jail, but will allow him to serve probation instead if he stays out of trouble.