Norway police warn of antique guns sold online for crime

Oslo police are raising alarms about a growing problem on the popular Norwegian online marketplace Finn.no. The site, which allows users to buy and sell everything from household items to real estate, has become a venue for the trade of old firearms. These weapons, often sold as collectibles, can be made functional and are being used in criminal activities.

Under current Norwegian law, firearms manufactured before 1890 do not require a license or registration. This legal loophole makes them particularly appealing to individuals involved in the underground criminal scene. Rune Swahn, head of the Oslo police's foreign affairs unit, noted that antique firearms are just as deadly as modern ones if they are in working condition. He stated that the police consider this a matter of public safety and are urging for new regulations to be implemented.

The issue came to light when a seller on Finn.no reported a suspicious buyer in January. The potential buyer insisted on communicating off-platform, asked for confirmation that ammunition was included, and requested the serial number be removed. Further investigation revealed the buyer was an 18-year-old with no firearms license and a criminal record, including ties to organized crime. Police found a similar handgun hidden on the teenager during a search last year.

This trend is not isolated. Recent reports also highlighted a group of organized criminals in Fredrikstad involved in drug and arms trafficking. A search of their premises uncovered a hidden cache of weapons, many of them old firearms that had been repaired and modified. The police are concerned that these untraceable weapons are increasingly falling into the wrong hands, posing a significant threat to public security.

“

This is a matter of public safety, and we are calling for regulations to be put in place in this area.