The distribution of firearms on the Dark Web black market is a significant threat in today's world filled with terrorism and mass shootings. In this section, we will explore the ease in which these are sold and purchased.
In a CNN report on the illegal online weapons trade, reporter Thom Patterson details one man's business in the Deep Web. Michael Andrew Ryan, operating underneath the name "Gunrunner," set up international shop, selling a variety of guns without serial numbers to other countries - especially those in which it is difficult to come by firearms, His shop location? Within his very home in a small town in Kansas. Because his operation was seized by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Ryan revealed everything to the courts:
His firearms were sold on the website Black Market Reloaded (BMR), only accessible through Tor. He exported handguns, semi-automatic rifles, and ammo to the countries of Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and England.
Similar arrests involving black market weapon trading happen every year.
A particularly chilling example referenced in the report describes handgun purchaser Liam Lyburg of England. Bothered teenager. Massacre plotter. Luckily, because of suspicious Facebook activity, police searched his home and discovered a "kill bag" armed with a Glock, ammunition, pipe bombs, and necessary attire. In court, Lyburg described buying his handgun as:
"just like buying a bar of chocolate."
The Dark Web site Lyburg used to make his purchases, Evolution, had 27,000 items for sale in 2014, according to this CNBC article. Site operators stay anonymous, but apparently have a hefty income -- as apparent from the recently shut down Dark Web for-sale site "Silk Road 2," with $6 million in monthly sales.
Weapons Sold on the Dark Web Hangman Game! Test your skill at popular firearm brands found on the Dark Web below. But be careful, try not to get hanged -- the Dark Web sells some dangerous weapons!