Fig.1-3-6-1 shows the number of firing incidents and persons killed in firing incidents over the last five years(in this Section,firearms mean handguns,rifles,machine guns,cannons,hunting rifles and other guns which have the function of firing metal bullets,and air guns).
  In2004,firing incidents decreased by35(25.2%)from the previous year to104,and persons killed decreased by18(51.4%(id.))to17.Among17persons killed,12persons were organized crime group members(regular members and quasi-members;hereinafter the same in this Section),and five persons were not those members,both of which decreased by half from2003.

Fig.1-3-6-1  Numbers of firing incidents and persons killed in firing incidents(2000-2004)

Fig.1-3-6-2 shows the number of cleared firearm offenses over the last five years.
In2004,the number of cleared firearm offenses decreased by11(9.7%)from the previous year to102,of which61cases(59.8%)were committed by organized crime group members.Of firearms used,handguns were the most common at77,accounting for75.5%of the total.

Fig.1-3-6-2  Number of cleared firearm offenses(2000-2004)

  Fig.1-3-6-3 shows the number of handguns seized over the last five years.

Fig.1-3-6-3  Number of seized handguns(2000-2004)

  In2004,the number of seized handguns decreased by184(23.4%)from the previous year to601,among which real handguns were527(87.7%).In2004,the number of seized handguns traded via internet,which had increased rapidly in recent years,decreased significantly compared to2003(see Section5-1 of this Chapter).This reduction affected the overall reduction of the number of seized handguns.
  Breaking of down the countries of manufacture which manufactured the527real handguns seized in2004,the U.S.A.has the largest share with160,followed by Japan with56,Russia with53,Philippines with35,Germany with28,Belgium with26,China with22,Italy with19,and Spain with eight(Source:The Criminal Investigation Bureau,National Police Agency).