BEIJING, July 22, 2008 -- Chinese police have launched a one-month crackdown on the production, sale and trafficking of emulational guns to ensure security in the run up to the August Olympics.

Local police must destroy the marketing, storage and transport network of imitation guns and track down and bust the original sources of the illegal production, the Ministry of Public Security said in its latest notice.

However, it did not specify the date of the program launch.

The ministry also asked its border inspection agencies to strengthen supervision and focus on the illegal import and export of emulational guns.

China's Law on Control of Guns clearly stipulates it is forbidden to manufacture and sell imitation guns. Violators can be detained for a maximum of 15 days and face harsher punishment if their products lead to casualties.