Pensioner among two men arrested after police stop car and find loaded assault rifle in boot
‘I have no doubt that removing this weapon from circulation has prevented death or serious injury,’ says detective
![Two men, aged 77 and 50, have been arrested after police found a loaded Armi-Jager AP80 assault rifle in the boot of a car during a stop and search in Peckham, south London, on 7 March 2019.](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2019/03/08/16/assault-rifle.jpg)
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Louise Thomas](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
A 77-year-old pensioner was arrested after police stopped two cars in south London and found a loaded assault rifle.
The Armi-Jager AP80 rifle, with a loaded magazine, was discovered in the boot of one of the cars, which was being driven by a 50-year-old man.
Detectives believe the gun is fully automatic and would have been used to kill or seriously injure someone if it had not been seized.
Police said the second vehicle was being driven by the older man.
Both men were detained by officers after they pulled the cars over in Peckham on Thursday evening.
Scotland Yard said the 50-year-old was tasered by armed officers after he resisted arrest. He was treated for minor injuries in hospital and later taken into custody.
The men were both arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
“I have no doubt that removing this weapon from circulation has prevented death or serious injury," said Detective Chief Inspector James Harper.
He added: “Officers will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and detect such criminality.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.