Jeonnam Police Operate 'Voluntary Reporting Period for Illegal Weapons'

Significant Strengthening of Penalties for Illegal Firearm Possession, Urgent Call for Active Reporting

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency announced on the 31st that, in cooperation with the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, it will operate a voluntary reporting period for illegal weapons from the 1st of next month for 30 days to prevent terrorism and crimes caused by illegal weapons in advance.

The targets for voluntary reporting of illegal weapons include all illegal weapons such as firearms possessed without permission or whose possession permits have been revoked, explosives (gunpowder, explosives, live ammunition, shells, etc.), swords, spray devices, electronic shockers, and crossbows.

If reported during this voluntary reporting period, criminal and administrative liabilities will, in principle, be exempted, and if the individual wishes to possess the weapon, permission will be granted after a verification process for disqualifications.

The reporting method is to submit the illegal weapons to the nearest police station (police station, district unit, or police box) or military units where reporting offices are installed, either by the individual or a proxy.

If it is difficult to submit illegal weapons within the reporting period due to unavoidable circumstances, prior reporting by phone or mail followed by submission of the actual items is also possible.

After this voluntary reporting period ends, a nationwide intensive crackdown on illegal weapons is planned throughout May, so they urged everyone to report all illegal weapons during this voluntary reporting period.

In particular, since the revision of the Firearms and Gunpowder Act on September 19, 2019, penalties for illegal manufacturing, selling, or possession of firearms have been strengthened (from imprisonment of up to 10 years or a fine of up to 20 million won → imprisonment of 3 to 15 years or a fine of 30 million to 100 million won), emphasizing repeatedly not to miss this opportunity and to report without omission.

They also urged that if anyone discovers a person possessing illegal weapons nearby, they should immediately report to 112 or the nearest police station.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.