Assessing the Practices and Products of Darkweb Firearm Vendors

ABSTRACT

The development of the Darknet as a parallel network to the Web in the 21st century has facilitated illegal trafficking in small arms, as defined by the United Nations. The authors have used investigative research methodologies to observe six weapon sale sites on the Darknet over a six-month period to identify sellers of firearms, the type and caliber of weapons for sale, manufacturer, price in Bitcoin, and the principle national origins of the firearms. This is the first study of its type to explore the illegal sale of firearms on the Darknet. This evidence can be used by law enforcement to intercept and shut down said sites and provide insight to the nature of the illegal arms trade on the Darknet.

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Notes on contributors

Christopher Copeland

Christopher Copeland is an Assistant Professor and the Director of the Institute for Homeland Security and Cybercrime at Tarleton State University. His research interests include cybercrimes, digital forensics, homeland security, critical infrastructure, and the application of technology in law enforcement. In addition to completing his D.Sc. degree from Dakota State University, he has obtained several professional certifications including the coveted CISSP.

Mikaela Wallin is a Ph.D. student in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. Her research interests include firearms, domestic/intimate partner violence, and public policy.

Thomas J. Holt is a Professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. He received his PhD in 2005 from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis. His research focuses on the role of technology in the facilitation of crime and deviance.