Weird Little Guys

Small Time Arms Dealer

31 snips
May 22, 2025
In the dark world of arms dealing, a former gun store owner grapples with leftover inventory after closing shop. An anonymous tip sparks a gripping investigation into arms trafficking, revealing the dangerous realities of illegal trade. The rise of Robert Mahler highlights the complexities of smuggling during apartheid, while Falls City faces turmoil from a controversial police chief and advertising campaign. A former officer's misuse of power adds layers to a story of deception and legal entanglements, showcasing the chaotic consequences of the black market.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Robert Mahler's Arms Smuggling

  • Robert Mahler was a gun dealer in Oregon who smuggled guns to South Africa in the early 1990s.
  • He evaded arrest for two years while supplying weapons to a neo-Nazi group planning a race war.
INSIGHT

Sanctions Evasion Insight

  • Despite UN embargoes, many countries secretly or privately supplied South Africa with arms.
  • Israel notably provided substantial military aid despite international sanctions.
ANECDOTE

Gary Self's Role in Fraud

  • Gary Self, an unqualified police chief, befriended Mahler and illegally helped register machine guns.
  • Self's drunken rampage and assault conviction exposed their fraudulent firearm acquisition.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app