In the People's Republic of China, access by the general public to firearms is subject to some of the strictest control measures in the world. With the exception of individuals with hunting permits and some ethnic minorities, civilian firearm ownership is restricted to non-individual entities. Law enforcement, military, paramilitary, and important security personnel are allowed to use firearms. Police are to use issued pistols only to stop serious or dangerous crimes. Airsoft guns are practically prohibited in China, as muzzle energy limits classify them as real firearms.