This dangerous society.

The success of the police in breaking a gang offering illicit firearms for sale throws the spotlight on dangers emerging in our society.

There has always been a black market for guns, but in the past these have usually been loot taken in burglaries - and consequently the majority have been " sporting guns ".

It is a totally different situation when guns recovered as a result of a police " sting " include items such as a Heckler and Koch MP5 machine gun - capable of firing 800 rounds a minute - and the preferred weapon of police SWAT teams and similar government agencies.

Put this escalation together with night vision equipment and ballistic vests and we are looking at the equipment for serious crime verging on the creation of a private militia - or a terrorist cell.

Another reason for alarm is the inclusion of a locally manufactured machine gun bearing strong resemblance to the legendary Owen gun developed during the second world war by Wollongong man Evelyn Owen. Obviously someone has the tools and knowhow to create such a weapon - and the number in circulation is unknown.

It seems that Australia is becoming a more dangerous society with a developing appetite for crime to be backed up with heavy firepower. Explosives are now routinely used, as evidenced by the gas attacks on ATM's.

Our police are lightly armed with 9 mm pistols and in the past this has been a sufficient deterrent. Perhaps now it would be appropriate to review police equipment in light of the emerging threat delivered by these weapons seizures !