"According to ATF, firearms were recovered in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Australia, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Zambia," US prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memorandum.

Authorities also linked Johnson to an Armitage International Model Scarab Scorpion 9mm pistol that was recovered in the Netherlands and a Glock Model 17 Gen 4 9mm pistol destined for France.

In an attempt to avoid detection in the US Post or overseas the group hid the firearms in electronic equipment before placing them in packages.

Johnson entered a guilty plea to a smuggling charge in the US District Court in Georgia and was sentenced on Thursday to 33 months' jail.

AAP