37 arrested in net gun swoop

[R.A. Hettinga]

<http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/05/met_guns_net/print.html>

The Register


 Biting the hand that feeds IT


37 arrested in net gun swoop
By Tim Richardson (tim.richardson at theregister.co.uk)
Published Friday 5th November 2004 15:02 GMT

Thirty-seven people have been arrested after the Metropolitan Police seized
more than 100 firearms in a crackdown on weapons traded online. Some 700
addresses have been raided over the last four days as officers mounted the
UK-wide operation.

In all, 86 handguns, ten rifles, three machine guns, seven shotguns, 13
stun guns and a crossbow were nabbed in Operation Bembridge. Class A drugs
were also seized during the raids.

Said Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, Head of the Met's Specialist
Crime Directorate: "This is the climax of a long-term intelligence
operation where we have identified weaponry purchased over the Internet. I
am delighted by its success and the sheer number of firearms, ammunition
and other weapons seized will make London a safer city."

The apparent ease to which guns are available online was highlighted this
week by a Labour MP who compiled a list of handguns he claims were for sale
on internet auction site, eBay.

Steve McCabe, MP for Birmingham Hall Green, has called on eBay to pay
closer attention to goods for sale on its pages after he was able to buy an
air rifle on the auction site last month.

He told the House of Commons: "The other week, it was possible for me to
buy a gun from the eBay internet site. The way in which the sellers work is
simple. They advertise an empty bag or box. The buyer bids for that bag or
box, and when that is done, the seller throws in the gun for free.

"This site is being used to facilitate a trade in illegal weapons," he said
in a call for the Home Secretary to take action.

-- 
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R. A. Hettinga <mailto: rah at ibuc.com>
The Internet Bearer Underwriting Corporation <http://www.ibuc.com/>
44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA
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