Rare Nambu machine gun used by Japanese soldiers during World War II siezed.

A woman reportedly driving five miles an hour over the speed limit in Williston led police to a World War II-era Japanese machine gun.
Agents from the U. S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms confirmed Monday that the gun seized June 5 was a rare Nambu machine gun used by Japanese soldiers during World War II.
According to Police Chief Dan Davis, the case began when Cpl. Kevin Sheppard pulled over a red 1995 Mercury for driving about 30 mph in the 25 mph zone in the 100 block of Northeast 11th Avenue. Sheppard said he grew suspicious of the driver and passenger after seeing a crack pipe protruding from driver Traci Bower's clothing.
A subsequent search of the car turned up an assortment of prescription drugs and the machine gun.
"When he [Sheppard] opened the trunk, he saw the butt end of the gun," Davis said, "but when he started pulling it out, he realized it was very heavy - much heavier than a shotgun or a rifle and much longer. He kept pulling and the gun kept coming out. It was much longer than the guns we usually see."
The women reportedly told police the Nambu belonged to Bower's grandfather. Davis said his agency is trying to confirm ownership of the gun. Davis also said investigators suspect the women were planning to trade the Nambu for crack.
Bowers, 45, of Dunnellon, and her passenger, Abby Ross, 45, of Beverly Hills, were charged with illegal possession of prescription drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia

Posted in: Williston