An investigation conducted by Californian authorities has shown that there is apparently a growing number of so-called “ghost guns” now being used in criminal activities around the state. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) revealed in a recent report that 30 percent of the firearms they have confiscated are unserialized. Guns without serial numbers are almost impossible to trace, especially in criminal investigations.
These so-called “ghost guns” are firearms assembled outside of the traditional supply chain. These guns are either assembled using parts sold by different companies or even with 3D printed components. Most stores will sell different types of firearms parts without any background check needed. Almost complete firearms, or “80 percent receivers,” also don’t require an FBI background check to purchase.
Most of the guns that were confiscated by authorities were those that were used in murders, robberies, active shootings, and domestic violence cases. In 2014, bank robbers in Stockton were caught using homemade AK-47 rifles. These types of weapons have grown in popularity, especially with hobbyist and gunsmiths. However, criminals are apparently now taking an interest in the creation of these guns for obviously nefarious reasons.
Firearms are typically stamped with a unique serial number prior to them entering the civilian market. Most who wish to purchase firearms will have to undergo a mandatory background check using the FBI’s NICS background check system. Each sale is recorded, giving authorities a log of the life of each firearm. Ghost guns do not go through this process and have no paperwork to speak of.
Lawmakers have been trying to combat ghost guns from getting into the hands of criminals, but previous efforts have proven ineffective. In 2016, California passed a bill that would require gun makers to register their home-made weapons with authorities. The bill also criminalized the possession of unserialized weapons. Since its enactment, over 2,000 ghost guns have been registered. However, that is still a small portion of the actual number of ghost guns authorities believe are still in active use. Additionally, not a single criminal charge has been made for the possession of a ghost gun.
In an effort to change this, legislators in Washington, New York, Oregon, Maryland, and Connecticut have introduced a bill called “Ghost Guns are Guns Act.” House Bill 1266 aims to further regulate ghost guns by expanding the current law already put in place. California also introduced a new bill, AB 879, which aims to require criminal background checks for the purchase of specific gun parts that could be used to create ghost guns. The bill would allow authorities to track parts that are sold, which they can then use during relevant investigations.