Photo/Illutration Pistols sold as “toys” on an internet shopping site were found to be as powerful as genuine handguns. (Provided by the National Police Agency)

Toy pistols made in China that are just as lethal as proper handguns have been found to be circulating on internet shopping sites, police warned.

The National Police Agency said 16 models were confirmed as capable of killing or maiming people.

It called on the public not to buy them and to contact the police if they come across “toy” guns online.

Japan enforces strict control on the sale and possession of firearms, and crimes involving handguns are very rare.

Cyber patrols mounted by prefectural police as well as the Metropolitan Police Department in Tokyo first became aware of the situation in June 2022, the NPA said.

The item in question was displayed as a “toy” on a domestic shopping website and came with plastic bullets.

Police tests found that it was capable of firing live ammunition and had the same power as a genuine handgun, the possession and sale of which is regulated by the Firearms Control Law.

Since November 2023, prefectural and metropolitan police have issued warnings to the public on their respective websites not to purchase the toy guns.

As of March, police said there had been 30 or so cases of Firearms Control Law violations since the alert was issued.

Approximately 1,100 guns have been seized or recovered to date.

The 16 models of handgun that have lethal weapon capability were made in China.

Japanese police are continuing their efforts to recover guns already purchased and have asked domestic website operators to stop selling them. However, the guns are still being sold on overseas shopping sites.

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