What is a Kalashnikov worth is therefore a measure which is used by all parties to determine if they are buyers or sellers.

After the Hezbollah led political crisis sparked deadly Beirut street clashes last month between its supporters and those backing the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, "everyone is looking for guns," said an arms trade businessman

The law of supply and demand is always the king and that includes the price of a Kalashnikov. So What is a Kalashnikov worth today ?

A whopping $700 to 750 dealers say

The price has gone up from $100 when the instability and fear index was low.

According to dealers "Those who have guns are keeping them or not selling except for generating huge profits, and those who don't have them are buying so they can face any eventuality."

Prices of Cartages have followed the skyrocketing prices of Kalashnikovs
A cartridge clip that used to go for $2 now costs $ 20….yes ten times more

Hezbollah led protests and the violence that erupted last month will continue to add upward pressure on the prices of the Kalashnikov.

People are afraid of Hezbollah arms and no longer seem to trust (Hezbollah) claims that it wont use the arms against the Lebanese people. This fear factor is adding to the instability which are jacking up the price of the Kalashnikov.

The UN and the Lebanese want Hezbollah disarmed , but it refuses. Hezbollah’s excuse is to use the arms to liberate the occupied Shebaa farms from Israel.

The Shebaa farms were taken over by Israel from Syria in 1967 .
But Syria is now claiming verbally that the Shebaa farms are Lebanese
But Syria refused so far to put this claim in writing
And this leaves Lebanon “between the rock and the hard place”

Sources of the arms

Local reports say 2 main sources for guns are now available in the market
1- Resale of existing guns: many feel that the prices are attractive to sell their own gun (s) , hoping that the prices will eventually drop.

2- Smuggled into the country, generally from Iraq via Syria. Usually they are hidden in containers, lorries, or even concealed inside car doors.

What will stop this crazy arms race ?

One analyst told Ya libnan” this stupid arms race is suicidal and has to stop. Poor Lebanese , they are using their own hard earned savings to commit suicide ...all those buying Kalashnikovs need to just think for one second and remember the civil war and what it did to the country and the people and then the last thing they would want is to carry a gun. “

He added “ Politicians as usual are to blame for subjecting the Lebanese citizens to this fear and instability. It is time these politicians assume their responsibilities by declaring an end to this failed protest and decide that it is time to talk sense and not dreams. “
The analyst then warned: if no action is taken , then this country could be heading to a civil war which could spill over to the whole region.

But why Kalashnikov ?

Kalashnikov or AK-47 , named after its Russian designer General Mikhail Kalashnikov. In 1947 he designed the AK-47 (Avtomat Kalashnikova) and in 1949 this assault rifle became operational in the Red Army. This rifle made Kalashnikov one of the most famous weapon designers in the world.

Despite estimates that there are around 100 million AK-47 assault rifles in circulation, General Kalashnikov claims that he himself has made no money from the sale of these weapons and that he only receives a meagre state pension from the government of the Russian federation.
As if to prove his point he is no longer in the arms design business. He switched to vodka design. In 2004, he began promoting his own brand of vodka . He told Reuters Television, "I've always wanted to improve and expand on the good name of my weapon by doing good things." The new brand is 41% alcohol and sold worldwide with his seal of approval, in a glass bottle the shape of the rifle…yes the Kalashnikov.

Perhaps the Lebanese should also switch from buying arms to something they can benefit from …but will the politicians and regional powers let them ?

Picture: General Mikhail Kalashnikov. In 1947 he designed the AK-47 (Avtomat Kalashnikova). This rifle made Kalashnikov one of the most famous weapon designers in the world, but having made no money on his invention, in 2004, he began promoting his own brand of vodka.

By : Ali Hussein
Ya Libnan Volunteer