Guns on the Dark Web: A Comprehensive Guide

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It has gained notoriety for its association with illegal activities, including the sale of firearms.

Gunrunners, whether global or just down the block, thrive in anonymity. They usually steer clear of meeting customers in person and never take even remotely traceable payments. Weapons represent just a small portion of transactions on the dark web, according to Nicolas Christin, a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University. He called the use of the dark web for firearms sales as negligible, especially compared to the number of illegal drugs being bought and sold. Christin estimates firearms sales account for less than 3% of sales. New research investigates guns, explosives and ammunition available in online black markets.

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What are Guns on the Dark Web?

Guns on the dark web refer to firearms that are sold illegally through online marketplaces on the dark web. These marketplaces are often referred to as “darknet markets” and operate using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin to facilitate transactions.

Why are Guns Sold on the Dark Web?

In Germany, for example, anyone under the age of 25 is required to pass a psychiatric evaluation before buying a gun. In France, firearm applicants are subjected to rigorous background checks and sales are denied to those with criminal records. In the United Kingdom, private citizens aren’t allowed to own handguns.

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Guns are sold on the dark web for a variety of reasons. Some individuals may be unable to purchase firearms legally due to strict gun laws in their country. Others may be seeking to acquire firearms for illegal activities such as drug trafficking or terrorism.

There are many reasons buyers could turn to the dark web to purchase a weapon, Holt explained. One example would be a buyer who can’t legally obtain a firearm; another explanation would be that the buyer lives in a country with stricter gun laws. Regardless, Holt said that because the dark web allows for total anonymity, it supports his theory that the dark web buyers are those who wouldn’t be able to purchase a firearm legally. After a mass shooting at a McDonald’s in Munich in 2016, authorities said that the gunman probably purchased his weapon on the dark web.

How are Guns Sold on the Dark Web?

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One information operations technique nation states could employ is simply shutting down critical operations of a competitor country’s critical corporations and industries. WannaCry (aka GonnaCry) ransomware successfully crippled the UK’s National Health System and is currently for sale on White House Market for $150 USD. As we’ve recently reported in our findings regarding the SolarWinds hack, monitoring the darknet for these types of tools and malicious discussions enables organizations to understand when and if they’re a target, and prepare accordingly.

They offer their customers to buy credit card numbers, illegal drugs, guns, organs, and whatnot. A new report on the Darknet locates the growing demand for CAD models of 3D-printed guns. The darknet requires a specific web browser to access called Tor so that users can remain faceless. Tor browser doesn’t provide complete safety and full anonymity for criminals to stay safe.

Guns are sold on the dark web through online marketplaces, often referred to as “darknet markets”. These marketplaces operate using a Tor network, which allows users to browse and transact anonymously. Vendors on these marketplaces often use cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin to facilitate transactions, making it difficult for law enforcement to trace the transactions.

What Types of Guns are Sold on the Dark Web?

A wide variety of firearms are sold on the dark web, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns. These firearms may be new or used, and may be modified to be fully automatic or to fire larger caliber rounds. Some vendors may also sell gun parts and accessories, such as silencers and high-capacity magazines.

The most common categories were handguns (70.5 per cent), followed by rifles (10.3 per cent), ammunition (3.7 per cent), submachine guns (1.9 per cent), explosives (1.7 per cent), shotguns (1.6 per cent) and accessories (1.1per cent). Digital products (5.3 per cent), CBRN (0.64 per cent) and miscellaneous weapons (3.3 per cent) were only listed on omnibus markets. “We know so little about the distribution of firearms sold on the Dark Web that it’s kind of a black hole, similar to illicit pharmaceuticals and narcotics. We know people buy them online, but we don’t know to what extent,” said Thomas Holt, Professor of criminal justice and co-author of the research.

Is it Safe to Buy Guns on the Dark Web?

No, it is not safe to buy guns on the dark web. Transactions on the dark web are conducted anonymously, making it difficult to verify the legitimacy of the vendor or the firearm being sold. Additionally, it is illegal to buy or sell firearms on the dark web in most countries, and doing so could result in severe legal consequences.

• Even if you somehow acquired a very convincing fake ID, Canada Post could verify the address and if they caught on, would alert the police.
• The anonymity offered by the darknet also makes buying and selling items on the darknet risky because there is always the risk of the person at the other end being a scammer or the police.
• However, you have to be extra careful while exploring the weapons links on the Darknet, as there are also lots of scammers on the Darknet who try to steal your Bitcoins by making clones of other authentic gun shops on the Darknet.
• It didn’t matter if they even caught me, if I didn’t get out of there in a minute I was a dead man anyways.
• These weapons were supposedly put aside from the received supplies and are now being sold to terrorists looking to buy rocket launchers and other high-impact attack systems.

FAQs

• What is the dark web? The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers.
• What are guns on the dark web? Guns on the dark web refer to firearms that are sold illegally through online marketplaces on the dark web.
• Why are guns sold on the dark web? Guns are sold on the dark web for a variety of reasons, including the inability to purchase firearms legally and for illegal activities.
• How are guns sold on the dark web? Guns are sold on the dark web through online marketplaces, often referred to as “darknet markets”, which operate using a Tor network and cryptocurrencies.
• What types of guns are sold on the dark web? A wide variety of firearms are sold on the dark web, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns.
• Is it safe to buy guns on the dark web? No, it is not safe to buy guns on the dark web as transactions are conducted anonymously and it is illegal in most countries.

In conclusion, the dark web is a dangerous place where illegal activities such as the sale of firearms take place. It is important to be aware of the risks associated with the dark web and to avoid participating in any illegal activities. If you suspect that someone is selling firearms on the dark web, it is important to report it to law enforcement immediately.