The Proliferation of Guns on the Dark Web

Not all of the items for sale in dark web marketplaces are illegal, but the promise of anonymity makes it easier to subvert the law. It’s a game changer,” says Giacomo Persi Paoli, lead author of the report. Sixty percent of all the weapons sold on the dark web are smuggled out of the US, according to research from the RAND Corporation. It, along with the University of Manchester, began investigating the illegal trade in firearms, explosives and ammunition available on Silk Road-esque marketplaces. The pair believe that sellers are making a killing by buying guns in the US and shipping them to Europe, where prices are higher.

• The study found that the dark web has introduced a new platform enabling arms trafficking at a global scale.
• The concern, as with all weapon purchases, is that they’re falling into the hands of terrorists, gangs and lone-wolf shooters.
• Ghost gun will offer you high-quality components as compared to other markets.

With the rise of technology, the dark web has become a hub for illegal activities, including the buying and selling of firearms. The anonymity provided by the dark web has made it a breeding ground for individuals looking to purchase guns without undergoing background checks or adhering to legal regulations. This has raised concerns about the accessibility of firearms to individuals who may pose a threat to public safety.

Cannazon Market

I wouldn’t have found the sites, without my director’s expertise and a little guidance from a Michigan State professor we interviewed for the documentary. To follow the steps that a criminal may take, we bought Bitcoin from a crypto dealer. We handed over an envelope of cash and with a few swipes and keystrokes, I had Bitcoin on my phone.

Anybody can download TOR, but then you still need to find the sites. I was fortunate enough to work with a director, Dylan Reibling, who has considerable experience in all things cyberspace; having worked on several films and projects exploring just that. We’d explored how people with some knowledge of gang culture or connections can find one easily on the streets, but how would somebody outside of that world acquire a gun? In an era where you can buy just about anything with a thumbprint on your phone or the click of a mouse, we decided to check out what was available online.

How Easy Is It To Buy Guns On The Dark Web?

The Dangers of Guns on the Dark Web

They’re a trendy and popular choice for both gangsters and law enforcement. While some guns are obtained through theft or smuggling, many are legally purchased and then resold online. Shockingly, a study by RAND Corporation found that up to a third of seized firearms in some US areas originated from legal purchases.The anonymity and ease of dark web transactions make it an attractive marketplace for illegal firearms.

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Guns on the dark web pose a significant threat for several reasons:

In order for buyers to find and communicate with the gun dealers, they had to use Tor software to browse the dark web, also called deep web or darknet. They still owe me $190 darknet gun market bucks which they haven’t released yet. Drug trafficking therefore makes traditional understandings of international security inadequate. Therefore, the products are shipped by protected packaging covered to look like legal products. The deep web gun store weapons are now being shipped by hiding them inside legal goods like electronics, books, and clothes to avoid the authorities’ detection.

Where Guns Are Sold Through The Darknet [Infographic]

• Unregulated Sales: Firearms sold on the dark web are often unregistered and untraceable, making it difficult for law enforcement to track their origins.
• Bypassing Background Checks: Buyers can circumvent background checks and obtain guns without undergoing the necessary screening processes.
• Potential for Criminal Activity: The easy access to guns on the dark web increases the likelihood of them falling into the hands of individuals involved in criminal activities.

FAQs About Guns on the Dark Web

Q: Are all guns sold on the dark web illegal?

A: While some guns sold on the dark web may be legal, the lack of regulation and oversight makes it difficult to determine the legality of these transactions.

Q: How can law enforcement combat the sale of guns on the dark web?

Sonboly shot and killed 9 people, wounding 36 others, before killing himself. The overall value of the arms listings examined by Rand was estimated at roughly $80,000, of which handgun made up 90 percent. That case showed how difficult it is to buy guns from the dark web and how rarely sellers offer them – Lyburd spent several months trying to find a legitimate seller and was constantly in fear of being scammed by an undercover law-enforcement officer. “This is an individual with a fascination with guns, to hold, touch, feel the trigger being pulled, since childhood. Whatever weapon came into his possession was not going to be used for any criminal activity. He was told a Glock had been ordered for delivery and carried out an internet search and realised it was a firearm.

A: Law enforcement agencies are working to track down and shut down websites that facilitate the sale of illegal firearms on the dark web. Additionally, increased collaboration between international agencies is crucial in addressing this issue.

In conclusion, the proliferation of guns on the dark web presents a serious threat to public safety. It is imperative for authorities to take action to prevent the illegal sale of firearms online and ensure that stringent regulations are in place to curb the flow of weapons into the wrong hands.