The Paper's reporter Xie Ruiqiang
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot while speaking in Nara City, and the suspects were widely discussed about what kind of gun they used.
According to Japanese media reports, at about 11:30 local time on the 8th, Shinzo Abe, who was giving a street speech in Nara, Japan, was shot and fell to the ground, and then was urgently sent to the hospital, and then died of his injuries.
The guns used by the suspects were published by Japanese media.
"Homemade gun shooting effect is similar to a shotgun"
According to reports from Japanese media such as NHK, Kyodo News Agency, and Asahi Shimbun, the shooting occurred at about 11:30 a.m. local time in Japan, and the audience heard a very loud "boo" sound, and 3 seconds later, the sound of similar gunshots sounded again. Witnesses said mr. Abe was shot a minute or two after the speech began, and a man was seen approaching him 3 meters behind him, followed by a gunshot, and Abe fell to the ground without a sound after the second shot.
From the public video, the suspect shot with a gun in both hands, and after the gun sounded, the gun body emitted smoke, and then some people ran away because of the fright, and in the confusion, some people fell.
Initially, local police said mr. Abe was shot from behind with a shotgun, but the Nara prefectural police corrected their claims that the suspect who shot Mr. Abe used a pistol.
According to the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), the relevant personnel said that the gun used by the suspect was homemade. Japan's "Iwate Daily" reported that the Fire Department of the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications released a message saying that Abe Shinzo had a gunshot wound and bleeding on the right neck, in addition, there was bleeding under the left chest.
At present, the suspect has been arrested. According to a number of government officials, the suspect in the shooting of Shinzo Abe is former Maritime Self-Defense Force member Tetsuya Yamayama.
A small arms researcher who did not want to be named told the surging news (www.thepaper.cn) that from the videos and photos released by the Japanese side, the suspect's homemade gun is a weapon with a shooting effect similar to a shotgun, with two metal launch tubes, a wired connection between the barrel and the grip, which may be in the form of electric shock, and the ammunition is likely to be homemade, and so much smoke will appear when fired.
Some analysts said that the suspect's homemade gun was a modified shotgun, and the barrel was truncated for concealment.
"There is a possibility that the suspect used some parts of the standard gun, such as the barrel, but judging from some shapes similar to black tape winding and grips, it is more likely that he made it himself." The above-mentioned light weapons researchers, who did not want to be named, pointed out.
The Japanese media "Modern Business" published an article saying that the black homemade guns used by the attackers may be made for 3D printers. Somada, chairman of Japan's 3D Data Utilization Association, also said that this technology is not difficult, "if you have the knowledge and technology of industrial universities, you can make it." "However, the source of the ammunition used by the suspect is a mystery. Somada also believes that it is very difficult to make ammunition, because the material is chemical, and it is difficult for ordinary people to get started.
"The suspect has a knowledge of the shooting effect of the homemade gun, that is, he knows that the shooting accuracy of this homemade shotgun is low and the range is short, so he shoots at close range." The above-mentioned small arms researchers, who did not want to be named, pointed out that "in order to improve the power and make up for the lack of accuracy, the personnel using this kind of gun will often add steel balls, small iron pieces, steel nails and other things to the ammunition, so this simple gun is also called 'troll', if it is hit at close range, the murder is more than ji, so the suspect is likely to want to put Abe to death." ”
Japanese police revealed the suspect's motives for shooting Abe, saying in his confession that "dissatisfaction with former Prime Minister Abe is to kill him."
"The Japanese police say it is a pistol, which should refer to a handheld firearm, not a standard pistol in the strict sense, so close range, if it is a standard pistol, it may penetrate quickly because of the initial speed, if it hits the torso, if it is lucky, it may be a penetrating wound, and it may be able to save life." The above-mentioned small arms researchers, who did not want to be named, said.
From the appearance, the gun used by the suspect was wrapped in a lot of tape.
Gun control in Japan is strict
The shooting of Shinzo Abe has also made Japanese gun management a hot spot.
Japan is one of the most gun-controlled countries in the world. Although there is no ban on guns in Japan, citizens can apply for legal purchase of firearms, but Japan's gun management policy has always been very strict, and only air guns and shotguns can be purchased.
According to relevant information, the core law of gun control in Japan is the Gun and Knife Control Act, which regulates the possession and import of firearms, and the Arms Manufacturing Law supplements its laws, which mainly controls the manufacture and sale of weapons, in addition to the Wildlife Protection Act, the Customs Law, etc. Also has legal provisions on gun control.
The BBC published an article in 2017 saying, "If you want to buy a gun in Japan, you need patience and determination." You must attend classes all day, take a written test, and pass the range test with at least a score of at least 95%. ”
According to the relevant information, applicants in Japan need to take a theoretical course to obtain a gun license. After completing the course hours, the applicant will take the written examination, and after passing the written examination, the applicant will undergo live-fire training. After that, the applicant needs to undergo psychological tests, criminal background checks and drug examinations, and finally the applicant has to take the initiative to go to the local police department that specializes in managing gunmen and keep his file. It is reported that after the applicant obtains the gun, the gun needs to be sent for inspection every year, the bullets and the gun must be stored separately, and the gun license also needs to be updated every three years. In addition, the Japanese police will randomly check and investigate Japanese gun owners from time to time, and those who violate the law will be sentenced to 5 years in prison.
Japanese law also limits the number of gun stores, and most of Japan's roughly 40 prefectures can only have a maximum of three, and you can only buy new magazines by returning the magazine you bought last time, the BBC said.
Business Insider notes that even after a rigorous vetting process, applicants can only buy shotguns and air rifles, not pistols. They need to take the purchased gun to the police station for examination and registration, and only the registered gun owner can use that gun.
The Voice of America pointed out that there is an age limit for gun ownership in Japan, with the average person being 18 years old, the athlete 14 years old, and the hunter 20 years old. They may not use firearms other than those submitted when applying for possession of a firearm.
In addition to strict restrictions on access to and use of firearms, Japan also imposes strict restrictions on police use of guns. The BBC reported that even Japanese police officers who are legally able to carry guns have very few uses of firearms and can no longer carry guns after work, and Japanese police pay more attention to martial arts, and it is said that in 2015, the Japanese police fired only six shots nationwide.
Due to strict gun control, there are also relatively few shootings in Japan. Japan's population is reported to be about 127 million, but the number of people who die from shootings in the country is usually less than 10 each year. CNN reported that only 9 deaths from shootings were reported in Japan in 2018.
Responsible editor: Li Yiqing Photo editor: Shi Jiahui
Proofreader: Liu Wei