Hong Kong's security chief warned that laws on the possession and use of firearms and ammunition may need to be tightened after police found an arms cache in a Sham Shui Po flat.
More than 100 real and imitation firearms, tear gas grenades, a mortar, mortar shells and thousands of rounds of ammunition - some which could pierce a bulletproof vest - were uncovered after police were called to the flat of a 63-year-old retired Correctional Services officer on Friday night.
The ex-prison guard, who is a gun collector, accidentally shot himself while cleaning a rifle. He is in a serious condition in Princess Margaret Hospital. He was arrested last night. A 59-year-old woman was also arrested for possession of arms and ammunition without a licence. She was released on police bail to report back later this month.
Police said the man had a licence to own up to 10 firearms, and the discovery of the huge weapons haul worried secretary for security Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong.
'I think many people are concerned about the case,' he said. 'In Hong Kong, it is a serious offence to store and use guns illegally,' he said.
Asked if the present laws were sufficient to deter such crimes, Lee said authorities would consider whether existing regulations needed strengthening. 'We should remember it is not only about how strict the laws are, it is also about if people abide by them.'