However, the privacy it affords is also being put to more sinister uses, especially as a platform for illegal activities by criminals involved in illicit drug and arms trafficking. Every year, illegal trafficking in small arms and light weapons is estimated to be worth somewhere in the region of $1.7 to $3.5 billion, equivalent to around 10 to 20 percent of the legal arms trade. Increasingly, all sorts of guns are finding their way onto the darknet from pistols to Kalashnikovs. Last year, a Global Financial Integrity study estimated the average price for the latter on the darknet is in the $2,800 to $3,600 range. Some traffickers purchase most or all of their merchandise from online vendors. While few online transactions are truly anonymous, purchasing weapons over the Internet allows traffickers to minimize their procurement footprint.
In recent years, the dark web has gained notoriety as a hidden realm where illegal activities thrive. One of the most concerning aspects of this clandestine online world is the sale and purchase of guns. With anonymity and encryption providing cover for criminals, the availability of firearms on the dark web poses a serious threat to public safety.
Nightmare Darknet Market
The Dark Web and Its Underbelly
“Organized criminal groups often rely on the availability of weapons to carry out their activities; thus, the market for illegal firearms around the world. ATF will aggressively and acutely target any individuals who seek to diminish the general welfare of our communities with illegal firearms trafficking,” said Wayne Dixie, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Atlanta Field Division. It isn’t at all surprising that so much of the illegal weapons trade now takes place on the Dark Web, the shadowy parallel Internet system where criminals operate vast, untraceable, anonymous marketplaces for outlawed goods and services.
Behind the curtain: The illicit trade of firearms, explosives and ammunition on the dark web 19 July 2017
The dark web, often accessed through specialized browsers like Tor, is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. It offers users a high level of anonymity through encrypted connections, making it an attractive platform for illegal activities such as drug trafficking, hacking services, and weapon sales.
The message, which was written in English and directed at militant Muslims, starts off with a Q&A display on how radicals who want to avenge the death of an Islamic State (ISIS) member can do so by buying untraceable weapons. There is a possibility that these listings have been put on by scammers trying to take advantage of the situation for profit. In this case, pro-Russian media could simply be picking up these listings, as if real, and promoting them to serve their narrative. The post People are secretly buying handguns on the dark web appeared first on Futurity.
The Rise of Gun Trade
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One of the most concerning trends on the dark web is the proliferation of gun trade. Criminals can easily evade background checks and purchase firearms without any legal documentation. The convenience of anonymous transactions and worldwide shipping options make it appealing for both buyers and sellers.
These illicit firearms range from handguns to assault rifles, catering to the demands of various criminal organizations and individuals seeking weapons for nefarious purposes. The sheer volume and diversity of available firearms is alarming, raising concerns about potential mass shootings and terrorism.
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The Dangers of Unregulated Sales
The availability of guns on the dark web bypasses the strict regulations and controls imposed by law enforcement agencies. This unregulated market allows dangerous individuals to acquire firearms with minimal risk of detection, posing a significant threat to public safety.
The lack of background checks and identification requirements makes it easier for convicted felons, domestic abusers, and mentally unstable individuals to obtain deadly weapons. As a result, innocent lives are put at risk, and the potential for crime escalation soars.
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However, using DarkOwl Vision to explore these relationships offers a snapshot into both the physical and digital realms of illicit goods and exploitation that often accompany each other. Looking at arms, drugs, and human trafficking online ties into the very real-world implications of these practices. It is common for darknet vendors to talk about their delivery and stealth methods to reassure customers that their purchases will be delivered as advertised and not seized by the authorities. However, vendors and marketplaces must balance revealing enough information about their concealment techniques to gain their customers’ trust while not exposing their methods and routes resulting in law enforcement interdiction. On average, DarkOwl analysts found that the prices of firearms for sale on the darknet were the same or lower than what the same products cost on surface web sites. However, in most cases darknet traded weapons were not significantly lower than prices advertised in the surface web.
- Home to every drug imaginable, the Dark Web offers consumers marijuana, heroin, ecstasy, shrooms, LSD, cocaine, crack, meth and more.
- Users are mostly anonymous and, untraceable, and they pay for services or goods with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
- The ATF’s Internet Investigations Center, staffed by federal agents, full-on tech specialists, and attorneys, uses the latest technology to identify and provide “actionable intelligence” to ATF field agents.
- The concern, as with all weapon purchases, is that they’re falling into the hands of terrorists, gangs and lone-wolf shooters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it legal to buy guns on the dark web?
- How do authorities combat the sale of guns on the dark web?
- What are the risks associated with buying guns on the dark web?
No, purchasing firearms on the dark web is illegal in most countries. It circumvents legal processes and regulations, facilitating criminal activity.
Law enforcement agencies are constantly working to identify and apprehend individuals involved in illegal gun trade on the dark web. They employ advanced techniques like undercover operations and data analysis to target key players in these illicit networks.
Aside from engaging in illegal activities, buyers face the risk of scams, receiving low-quality firearms, or becoming victims of violence during in-person transactions. Additionally, participating in such activities can lead to severe legal consequences.
Tor was designed as an encrypted browser that uses special coding to keep browsing histories secret. Allegedly, military-grade firearms coming from Western countries that were sent to support the Ukrainian army in their fight against Russia have been listed on multiple weapon marketplaces on the dark web. New research investigates how people anonymously buy and sell firearms around the world on the dark web.
In Conclusion
The availability of guns on the dark web presents a significant societal challenge that requires comprehensive solutions. Law enforcement agencies must continue to enhance their strategies and international cooperation to combat this illicit trade effectively. Simultaneously, public awareness campaigns and education about the dangers of the dark web can help deter potential buyers and reduce demand. By addressing both the supply and demand sides, we can strive towards a safer society where firearms remain out of the reach of those who seek to cause harm.
