TOKYO, Feb. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- More than a quarter of illegal guns seized by Japanese police last year were traded through Internet, the National Police Agency said Thursday.

    The police confiscated 785 guns in 2003, up 38 from the previous year. Of the seizures, a record number of 201 were bought via Internet, the agency said, adding people without gang affiliations are having easier access to weapons.

    The number of shooting cases stood at 139 last year, down 19 from the previous year, but the death toll rose from 11 to 35. The number of shooting incidents involving gangs also hit 32, rising 11 pieces.

    Addressing concerns of felonies, the Japanese government is mulling on revising laws to extend terms of imprisonment, with thelongest non-life sentence going up to 30 years from the current 25 years. Also included in the pact are elevating the minimum terms of imprisonment and extending the negative prescription for serious crimes. Enditem