From:	Paul J. Adam Paul@********.demon.co.uk
Subject:	Gun Disposal
Date:	Sat, 7 Aug 1999 23:44:53 +0100

In article <3.0.3.32.19990807121716.006ececc@*******.ucdavis.edu>,
The Hamm <ljvance@*******.edu> writes
>At 12:01 PM 8/7/99 +0100, you wrote:
>>Which is why they were disposed of after being used once each - and I
>>don't mean just thrown in the river, I mean the barrel drilled out (lose the
>>rifling) and the boltface ground off (lose the firing pin and extractor
>>marks). Soak in caustic soda (degreaser - gets rid of fingerprints and any
>>powder residues) and you've made it harder to tie that weapon to
>>_anything_.
>>Paul J. Adam
>
>Why go through so much trouble? Just throw it in the ocean (if you happen
>to be close enough).

If you happen to be close enough. Big problem... hiring a boat to go out
into deep water sort of sucks if the bosun wonders why you're throwing
bundles over the side, and decides to turn you in rather than risk being an
accessory...

>The corrosive properties of the sea are very
>powerful, and in a period of about one minute, the gun is unidentifiable.

Many weapons have chromed or Stellited barrel liners that resist seawater
well. Drill it out and destroy the evidence, don't rely on corrosion.

>And anyway, why not just remove and replace the barrel of the gun. It is
>what determines the ballistic pattern on the bullet,

The back end - the firing pin and extractor claw - also produce distinctive
and identifiable markings.

Plus, barrels are as controlled as firearms are, and at least buying SMGs in
bulk "for a buddy in a merc outfit" draws less attention than wanting "a
dozen spare barrels for a pre-2055 Ingram 20t"


--
Paul J. Adam