Weapons hang on the walls and in display cases. Practically any small-arm you can imagine is available for purchase. Kalashnikovs of all variants, a British Sterling submachine gun, German MP5 and MP5K submachine guns, a 61 Skorpion machine pistol and a wide array of handguns, shotguns and hunting rifles.

They’re all just sitting there, unlocked.

The shop is busy, a steady flow of customers coming in and out—some to buy, some to browse. A man inspects a Glock 19, trying its weight in his hand. Another buys 10 M-16 magazines and a rifle sling.

The merchandise ranges in condition from brand new to heavily used. All of the shop’s M-16s and M-4s seem to be in good condition. The presence of Arabic numerals on the butts of two of the rifles hints at previous owners.

The shop owner agrees to talk under the conditions of anonymity and that we don’t take any pictures of him.

He’s vague about the origins of his guns.

He explains that most of the guns belonged to the Iraqi army at some point, but he usually purchases them from civilians.

Prices have risen. Two years ago a Kalashnikov would have cost around $300. Now the average price is $600.