Special Report: Weapons on the Web

Susannah Richardson - Attacked by a Stun Gun
"It just felt like something was on fire behind me almost."

Susannah Richardson will never forget the night she was attacked by a stun gun outside her Brighton apartment.

Susannah Richardson - Stun gun victim
"I couldn't move for a couple seconds. I think I just fell forward, just paralyzed basically."

Susannah was left with burn marks on her back, but it could have been much worse.

Dangerous weapons like stun guns and switchblades are illegal to own or sell in Massachusetts, so how are they making it into the wrong hands?

You can find and buy these deadly weapons easily online.

We logged onto Ebay, made a bid of only $15.50 and just like that we bought a stun gun.

This illegal weapon was shipped to our Massachusetts address no questions asked.

Byron Barnett
"I live in Massachusetts, so can you mail it to me here. You can, sure good."

As for switchblades, we found several sites eager to sell to us over the phone.

One company did warn us it was buyer beware when it came to laws, but then promised to make it so no one would know we ordered this deadly knife.

Byron Barnett
"Small brown box, discreet packaging so it won't say switchblade or anything on the outside."

Just last year, the Attorney General's Office conducted an online sting of their own.

Seven internet companies now have software blocking orders to Massachusetts.

7News Producer
"I'm just going to give it to you to open up."

A 7News Producer handed over the stun gun we purchased.

It's packaged so discreetly, you have no idea there's a lethal weapon inside.

Alice Moore - Mass. Attorney General's Office
"We try to stay ahead of them but you're right we always have to be looking and seeing what businesses are popping up and how they are affecting consumers."

The Attorney General's Office is now investigating those internet companies willing to sell us those illegal weapons.

As for the stun gun we bought, eBay officials tell us it's the sellers responsibility to know the laws. But eBay often works with law enforcement to pursue criminal charges against companies who break the laws.

(Copyright (c) 2005 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)