The police have been busy getting ready for the National Day celebration:

Chinese police have confiscated close to 53,000 guns by the end of August in a nationwide crackdown started in March this year, and 9,849 suspects involved in gun-related crimes were punished, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said Thursday.

The ministry started the special crackdown on explosives and gun-related crimes in March, and said it would continue till China’s Oct. 1 National Day celebration.

Where did all these guns come from? You can’t pick these things up at the neighborhood Wal-mart here. Perhaps the U.S. National Rifle Association should consider opening some branch offices?

By the way, China Hearsay has learned through confidential sources* in the Ministry of Public Security that in an unpublicized deal with the U.S. state of Virginia, Chinese authorities will be swapping the confiscated guns for a large shipment of tobacco leaf.

The guns will be available to anyone residing in or visiting the state of Virginia beginning next week. Be sure to pick one up as a souvenir at your gun show of choice. However, make sure that you bring I.D. (anything will do, such as a library card), because Virginia has very strict gun purchasing laws (i.e. you have to be either a human being or a dog that can do at least two tricks).

*[Editor's note: I do not have any sources in the Ministry of Public Security. Please do not deport my ass out of this country.]