London shopkeeper denies illegal trade of James Bond guns

Hundreds of James Bond guns were illegally sold from a respectable-looking militaria shop, the Old Bailey heard today, reports The Scotsman.

Some 576 illegal guns passed through the hands of shopkeeper Guner Salih and two other men, it was alleged.

More than 400 of the weapons were Walther PPK as used by 007 after M took away his Beretta early in his career when he was wounded.

Mark Gadsden, prosecuting, demonstrated one of the guns and told jurors they might recall it from the James Bond Goldfinger (sic, "Dr. No") adventure.

He said: “It is the gun which M insists he takes with him when he leaves his office because his Beretta jammed and he was shot during his last mission.”

Mr Gadsden said the guns had been supplied by Salih and converted from replicas by Stephen Herbert and Gary Beard.

They were then sold by Salih in his Moderne Buckles shop which sells militaria and replica guns in Bethnal Green Road, east London, he said.

Mr Gadsden added: “Some 576 guns passed through their hands. It is an awful lot of guns to be converted from harmless replicas to fully functioning killing machines.”

During 14 months up to April last year, more than one gun a day had been sold illegally for cash.

Salih had bought hundreds of guns but his records showed he sold only a couple of replicas a month, added Mr Gadsden.

Salih, 56, of Campbell Avenue, Barkingside, east London, denies nine firearms charges including conspiracies to manufacture, supply and possess with intent to cause fear.

The court was told that Beard and Herbert had pleaded guilty to conspiracy.

Thanks to `Paul` for the alert.

Discuss this news here...