HIGH-POWERED firearms which could bring terror to Bolton's streets are being sold legally in high street shops, the BEN can reveal today.

The guns, which include fully and and semi-automatic weapons, have been "de-activated" and cannot be fired.

But Britain's criminals are able to turn them back into lethal weapons with expert help.

The sale of the weapons exposes a frightening loophole in the law at a time when gun warfare is on the increase across the UK.

Similar weapons - some of the most powerful Army issue firearms in the world - are being used by the underworld. Criminals can buy the assault weapons - stamped unusable - "over the counter" and bring them back to life with the help of qualified gunsmiths.

Last year in Greater Manchester Police seized 14 machine guns. Of those 13 had been re-activated with potentially deadly results. The BEN bought an AKMS military assault rifle for £180, pictured above, from an "army surplus" shop in Farnworth town centre.

The store, Soldier Soldier, in Higher Market Street, is less than 400 yards from where security guard Ian Foster was gunned down on the steps of Farnworth town hall three years ago.

A variety of rifles, machine guns and machetes can be bought at the store. A de-activated grenade costs £8. Labour MP Terry Lewis today called for a total ban on the sale of de-activated and replica - weapons. Mr Lewis said: "These firearms serve no useful purpose whatsoever.

"I am in no doubt whatsoever that many of them, if not all, can be re-activated.

"But, having said that, a criminal armed with one of these weapons need not fire the rifle. Simply by threatening a cashier, or member of the public, he will achieve his necessary object of terrifying the wits out of them.

"In my view the entire firearms industry should be tightened up."

The rifle bought by the BEN originated in China. It is the most common shoulder weapon used by armies around the world and has optional full and semi-automatic fire with an effective range of up to 800 metres. It can fire 600 rounds a minute. We were given a "Certificate of De-activation" with the gun. It states that "no firearm certificate is required to possess this gun" and outlines the weapon's specifications. It says: "The London Proof House hereby certifies that the work has been carried out on the firearm described below in a manner approved by the Secretary of State under Section 8 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 for the rendering it incapable of discharging any shot, bullet or other missile."

A bar has been put inside the barrel, which has been welded shut, and the back half of the block is missing. But local firearms expert, Brian Ford, is in no doubt that re-activated weapons are being used by the North-west's criminals.

He said: "There is a saying that anything de-activated can be re-activated.

"They cause no problems in the right hands. But like everything else in life they are being abused by the criminal fraternity and that makes the sale of them extremely dangerous."

Police forces throughout Britain are increasingly anxious about the sale of de-activated weapons. Det Chief Insp Kevin Haigh, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "In the past we have had problems in Manchester with the unlawful re-activation of weapons and we view this with grave concern."

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