Chapter 226: Chapter 211: Cooperation, Part 2

"Do you have any gun dealer contacts we can buy from?" Feng Shan asked, wanting to cut to the chase.

"You don’t need a dealer. For used guns, you can buy them on websites like GRBAGun, Armslist, or GunBroker. They’re cheaper, but some of them might be Ghost Guns. If you want new guns, it’s better to place an order on the FBO public bidding website," Yves quickly rattled off a few channels for buying guns.

"Let’s buy new. Ghost Guns aren’t safe. Who knows what kind of trouble they could be," Feng Shan said, immediately dismissing the first option.

Frank had specifically warned Feng Shan about Ghost Guns.

Ghost Guns, also known as illegal firearms, can be privately manufactured, have the serial numbers on their receivers ground off, or be otherwise unlicensed by the federal government. They can also be illicit guns that were used by criminal organizations, then disassembled and sold as parts through online channels.

These firearms can be easily assembled from parts purchased online, making them untraceable by the government.

And what does being untraceable mean?

Normally, after a shooting occurs, the police will submit a trace request to the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) based on the weapon found at the scene.

The ATF uses the firearm’s serial number or other markings to trace its path of sale, which helps the police solve the crime.

However, personnel from the ATF’s Los Angeles division stated that in 2017, nearly half of all cases in the city involved Ghost Guns.

A 2017 report from the gun control advocacy group, Everytown for Gun Safety, showed that...

The cost of Ghost Gun assembly kits isn’t high, and one seller claimed their firearm assembly kit was one of the simplest processes to date.

A person with absolutely no firearm manufacturing experience can finish one in less than an hour with just a few tools.

According to statistics, the top five tutorial videos on how to make Ghost Guns on YouTube have a combined view count of over three million.

Yves nodded in agreement. "I also recommend placing an order on the FBO public bidding website. It’s much safer."

"Okay! Here’s the next question: how do you place an order on the FBO website?" Feng Shan asked.

"I brought a laptop." Sun Jia quickly grabbed a laptop out of the backpack at her feet and put it on the table.

Yves opened the computer, skillfully navigated to a website, and entered the FFL and SOT03 license numbers.

The website opened to a product interface.

It was just like an online shopping site, but instead of a dazzling array of everyday goods, the page was filled with all sorts of firearms.

Yves turned the laptop toward Feng Shan and Sun Jia.

"Alright, you’re in. Just check the box next to the firearms you want to purchase, and the website will generate an order based on your request."

’The process is this simple?’

Feng Shan and Sun Jia looked at each other. They had thought the process would be incredibly tedious, but it turned out to be as simple as grocery shopping.

But their attention was quickly drawn to the screen.

AK-47, 1980 SL manufacture, unopened, 1,100/US Dollar.

AR-15, 2014 United States manufacture, unopened, 1,500/US Dollar.

M16A4, 2012 United States manufacture, unopened, 1,199/US Dollar.

TAR-21, 2015 manufacture, unopened, 1,200/US Dollar.

HK416, 2015 Germany manufacture, unopened, 2,870/US Dollar/base rifle.

Additional Accessories:

UBR Tactical Stock: 199.95 US Dollars.

AFG Angled Fore Grip: 34.95 US Dollars.

Extended Magazine: 19.95 US Dollars.

556-SD Suppressor: 849 US Dollars.

TA31 Scope: 1,447 US Dollars.

...

Shopping isn’t just appealing to women; it’s just as captivating for men, especially when it comes to buying firearms.

Feng Shan and Sun Jia were going wild, their eyes gleaming with excitement as they kept placing orders on the site.

Money was no object for either of them.

Faced with the dazzling array of firearms, they felt as if they were in a fantastical treasure vault.

Each gun possessed a unique charm that drew their gazes.

The exquisite compactness of the pistols, the imposing might of the rifles, the deadly precision of the sniper rifles... every model made their hearts pound.

"They have this one too?" Feng Shan pointed to an imposing machine gun on the product page, a weapon he had only ever seen in movies.

Yves leaned over to take a look. "That’s an antique gun. It’s an MG-42 general-purpose machine gun, the best machine gun of the WWII era. Its nickname is the ’Linen Ripper.’ An absolutely fantastic old gun."

"Only forty thousand? We’re buying it!" At this point, Sun Jia’s eyes weren’t just shining, they were practically shooting flames.

"Done!" Feng Shan happily added it to the shopping cart.

Yves was left speechless by their extravagance.

’Just because you have money doesn’t mean you should spend it like this.’

’It’s only a small shooting range. There’s absolutely no need to buy weapons like machine guns.’

’They’re expensive and impractical.’

Soon, Feng Shan and Sun Jia finished selecting their desired firearms.

A satisfied smile spread across their faces as they looked at their full shopping cart.

Forty types of long guns and handguns, and three types of general-purpose machine guns. The machine guns accounted for the bulk of the cost.

The ammunition wasn’t cheap, either. A case of 1,000 rounds of 5.56 NATO cost 540 US Dollars.

At checkout, the bill came to nearly 210,000 US Dollars.

Feng Shan entered his Wells Fargo Bank account information and paid the bill.

Just when the two thought their gun shopping was done and they could just wait for delivery, Yves poured a bucket of cold water on their excitement.

"Khilla, after you place the order, the FBO will ship the weapons to a designated firearms dealer. The dealer has to verify the buyer’s identity and check for a criminal record. You can only receive the guns after paying a service fee."

’So you don’t receive the guns directly.’

Feng Shan frowned. "Then how long will that take?"

"Within seven days, probably," Yves said after a moment of thought.

Before Feng Shan could respond, his phone suddenly rang.

It was an unfamiliar number.

When he answered, a pleasant female voice on the other end asked if he was Feng Shan.

The caller explained she was from the bank, which had flagged a 210,000 US Dollar arms order placed by Feng Shan on the FBO website. They needed to verify it over the phone, and if everything was correct, the transfer would be processed immediately.

After Feng Shan confirmed the purchase, the woman exchanged a few pleasantries and hung up.

Immediately after, another unfamiliar number called.

This time it was the FBI. They started by asking for Feng Shan’s identity and his FFL and SOT license numbers, then inquired about his purpose for purchasing such a large quantity of arms. They also informed him that they would be arranging for personnel to conduct an on-site investigation of the Crown Territory.

He hung up.

Feng Shan’s enthusiasm for buying guns evaporated, replaced by a litany of complaints.

"I’m just buying a few guns. Is it really necessary to make such a fuss, investigating my identity and sending people out for an on-site inspection?"

’A few guns?’

Yves was at a loss for words.

’That was a 210,000 US Dollar arms order.’

’That arsenal is enough to wage a small-scale battle.’

Sun Jia remained silent. The FBI was involved now; it was best for her to keep a low profile.

Soon, the satellite phone rang again.

This time, it was an acquaintance.

Chief Bird of the Fairbanks Police Station.

"Hey buddy, you buy some guns?"

"Yeah. Forty guns and three general-purpose machine guns. How did you know?"

"The FBI just gave me a call. They asked me to take a team out to the Crown Territory, said someone bought a large quantity of weapons. The second I heard Crown Territory, I knew it was you."

"Come on, man, does it have to be this much of a hassle? I’m just buying some guns."

"That’s just how those sons of bitches at the FBI are. By the way, which GPMGs did you buy?"

"The MG-42, M60, and PKM."

"Good God, you didn’t buy an M134 Minigun? That’s a real man’s gun."

"Go for it. Fifty rounds of 7.62 go for 17.99 US Dollars. How many rounds are you planning on shooting with a minigun?"

"FUCK! Are ammo prices that high right now? Those damn capitalist vampires! My salary’s only enough to fire 10,000 rounds of 7.62."

"Cut the crap. When are you coming over?"

"Two days from now. I’ll bring the guns over with me and get in some range time too."

"Got it. You can shoot the guns all you want, but you’re paying for your own ammo."

"Bullshit! What am I gonna do without ammo, jack off the barrel? I’m not gay! You cheap bastard, get lost!"

The call ended.

Feng Shan put his phone away and sighed in resignation.

’So much for the Free United States of America. My "truth" didn’t even last a single day.’

He had just finished buying the guns, and the calls were already flooding in one after another.

’If I’d known it would be this much hassle, I should have just bought them on a secondhand platform.’

"Khilla, it’s just a routine investigation. As long as there’s no issue with your licenses, the FBI check will be easy to pass," Yves said reassuringly.

Sun Jia hadn’t expected this much trouble either. Now it seemed like 40% was too low. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Brother Feng, how about I raise your profit share to 50%?"

"No need. We’ll stick to 40%." Feng Shan waved a hand dismissively. How much could an extra 10% be? It wouldn’t even be enough for a single serving of Emperor Crab.

He looked up toward the window.

The streetlights outside had already come on.

"Want to head to the lodge for dinner to celebrate our successful partnership?"

"No, thanks. I still need to design the shooting range. I’ll just grab a quick bite at the restaurant here," Sun Jia said, politely declining with a shake of her head.

"Alright then. Call me if you need anything." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

As Feng Shan stood up, he suddenly heard the bartender, who had just returned from seeing the Mammoth, yelling and asking who had touched his liquor.

His gaze immediately fell on the empty bottle on their table.

He hastily beat a retreat from the bar.

...