Private security contractor Blackwater Worldwide has been able to keep 17 AK-47s at its armory under a deal that sidesteps federal laws prohibiting private parties from buying automatic weapons.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Sunday that Blackwater financed the purchase of 17 Romanian AK-47s and 17 Bushmasters and gave ownership of the guns to the Camden County sheriff.

Sheriff Tony Perry said his department has only used the AK-47s in shooting practice at Blackwater and that none of his 19 deputies are qualified to use them.

The agreements signed in the summer of 2005 with the sheriff's office say that the department will have unlimited access to the rifles.

Blackwater CEO Gary Jackson said his company can legally buy automatic weapons as long as he has contracts to train public
officers to use them.