Following are excerpts from a TV report on the illegal weapons trade in Egypt. The report aired on CBC TV on July 21, 2011.
Reporter: "The merchants of death – who are they shooting? These firearms, which used to be brought into the country to be used for blood vengeance, terrorism, and drug trafficking, have become widespread, in the wake of the security chaos, among ordinary citizens, as well as highway robbers and bullies, who have begun to use these firearms for intimidation, and even for killing, when necessary."
Weapons trafficker: "I have been dealing in weapons for the past ten years. Throughout that time, you could bribe the government, and in return, you could do whatever you like.
"Weapons enter Egypt through two sources: The first is America and Israel, and the second is Sudan, Uganda, Mali, Chad, and Niger.
"Since the war in Libya began, Libyan weapons have begun to flow into Egypt, through Bedouins and smugglers.
"The weapons that come via Sudan go to Qena, and from there, they are distributed in the city of Sohag. There are five distribution stations in Sohag and another one in Kuraymat. The Sohag stations distribute weapons to the entire Upper Egypt region, and the Kuraymat station to the other provinces. […]
"Israel is the second source for weapons to Egypt. The American ships pass through the Suez Canal, with cargoes of weapons, heading toward this or that country. They dock in the Red Sea, between Hurghada and Sharm Al-Sheikh. Hurghada and South Sinai are close.
"The security chaos that followed the January 25 revolution had a great impact on weapons trafficking, and prices have tripled. Following the revolution, the weapons trade has become for self-defense. The security chaos caused by the police has led to serious problems for the people. People want to protect themselves. Even those who don't know how to use weapons buy them. […]
"I know how to go to Google, and if someone advertises a rifle or a pistol for sale, I go to his Facebook page, and we contact one another. Then we meet and close the deal.
"We were surprised not by the quantity or variety of weapons, but by who gets their hands on them. He is a little boy. He is two, two and a half, years old. Go ahead, Hamada. Point upwards. Shoot!
Little boy shoots gun in the air
"This is a little, two-year-old boy. I'd rather teach him than have him get hold of a gun and shoot his brother by accident."
Little boy: "Let me shoot again."
Weapons trafficker: "You want to shoot again? No problem, go ahead. Hold tight. Hold tight. Well done, man."
Sequence of children shooting guns in the air
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