Kunming authorities launch crackdown on dangerous weapons

Kunming Public Security Bureau in Southwest China's Yunnan province issued a circular Monday stating that people carrying dangerous items, including knives, guns and explosives, to public places will be severely punished.

The regulation, which goes into effect from Monday to August 31, aims to crack down on crimes threatening public safety and prevent violent and terrorist activities, the China News Service reported.

People are banned from carrying controlled items including daggers, knives and crossbows. They will be severely punished if they illegally bring the items onto public vehicles or into public places. People carrying traditional knives of ethnic minority groups outside minority autonomous regions will be deemed as illegally carrying the controlled items, said the circular.

If people who illegally hold explosives, guns, bullets and controlled items submit their items to public security organs within 10 days from Monday, they will be punished moderately or be spared punishment. If they do not submit such items after the required period, they will be seriously punished according to law.

Under China's criminal law, people who illegally take guns or explosives into public places face a maximum three years in prison.

People who report clues related to the illegal items will get rewards of between 500 yuan ($81.40) and 20,000 yuan, according to the bureau.

The regulation came after a deadly terror attack at Kunming railway station on March 1, which was carried out by separatist terrorists from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and claimed 29 lives and injured 143.

The families of the victims, as well as the greater public, have repeatedly condemned the terrorist act while demanding tougher action against acts of terrorism, according to the Xinhua News Agency.