Ad Seeks Trade: AK-47 For New Rims

An Internet advertisement seeking to trade an AK-47 assault style rifle for car rims has caused a stir in Philadelphia.

The ad appears on a popular Internet trading site.

The police commissioner's not too happy about it, but the state police and gun experts say it's all perfectly legal, Fox 29's Dave Schratwieser reported.

The gun owner said all he wanted was a set of wheels, and he's willing to trade his AK-47 SKS rifle in return for those rims. He didn't think it would cause a controversy, but he can understand why some folks might be upset about it.

"If it's not an assault weapon by definition, then add it to the freakin' list," were Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey's words last year about the AK-47 SKS.

This model has been the target of controversy in Philadelphia since it surfaced in numerous crimes in recent years, including the murder of police Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski last May.

"I'm very concerned with the number of assault weapons on the street," Ramsey said Tuesday.

So, when the recent ad to trade an AK-47 SKS for 20- or 22-inch rims popped up on Craigslist.com, it caused a stir.

"To be able to advertise an AK-47, or any other assault weapon like that, and actually say that it's a legal way of doing business is a problem in and of itself," Ramsey said.

But gun shop owner Greg Isabella said, "It's perfectly legal."

While city police take issue with the trade offer, state police and local gun shop owners said gun trades like this can be done legally.

"He's looking to make a barter, you know, to benefit himself," Isabella said.

Trading a gun for rims is perfectly legal as long as the two parties in the trade go to a gun shop to complete the transaction. The party getting the gun has to fill out a federal firearms form and undergo a state police instant background check.

"Once he's approved by the state police, that's it," Isabella said.

All this troubles Ramsey, who along with Mayor Michael Nutter championed an effort to get these guns off the street after Liczbinski's murder.

"As far as I'm concerned, we don't need assault weapons at all," Ramsey said.

Isabella said he understands the police reaction.

"That's perfectly understandable, and it has brought to light the real problem of probation and parole offenders going right back on the street and committing crime again," Isabella said.

The gun owner told Fox 29 News his weapon is fully legal and he plans to trade it at a gun shop legally, if he gets any takers.

Only one person has contacted him about the "gun for rims" trade. He thinks the gun is worth $700 to $800, Schratwieser reported.