82-year-old in trouble for gun-mania

An 82-year-old gun enthusiast has been referred to prosecutors for allegedly possessing a large collection of handguns and live ammunition.

The 82-year-old man who lives in Kuchita in Asakita Ward was referred to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Swords and Firearms Control Law and the Explosives Control Law.

According to police, he was keeping two American-made revolvers, one Belgian-made automatic pistol, 46 live rounds of ammunition, and approximately 390 grams of gunpowder at his home and at a house he manages. Two of the live rounds are believed to have been in a condition that could be fired with a pistol. Two of the live rounds are believed to have been in a condition that could be fired with a pistol.

The man,　described as a gun-mania or so-called gun enthusiast, has admitted to the charges, saying they were part of his collection.

He is responsible for almost half of the seven handguns seized in Hiroshima Prefecture last year.