Ghost Guns and Recent Incidents

By Brad Brooks

(Reuters) – A 26-year-old has been charged with murder for killing a UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH) executive in New York. The suspect was arrested in Pennsylvania with a backpack containing a so-called "ghost gun."

The U.S. government has claimed that ghost guns are primarily used for criminal purposes as they are made from parts easily purchased online or 3-D printed, lacking the serial numbers typically used to trace firearms, and do not require background checks.

Facts About Ghost Guns:

• No Serial Numbers: Ghost guns have no serial numbers. Owners can manufacture them themselves, allowing them to bypass background checks and regulations.
• Government Regulation: The Biden administration maintains that ghost guns are intended for criminal use, leading to a rule issued in 2022 to control them. The Supreme Court has indicated a willingness to uphold this regulation despite challenges.
• Supporters' Argument: Advocates for ghost guns argue they are meant for hobbyists, asserting that building such weapons is a right under the Second Amendment.
• Purchase and Assembly: Kits for ghost guns can be purchased online or at gun shows as long as the frames are not fully functional. Users can easily and cheaply assemble them using tools that are widely available.
• Frame Sales: To comply with federal regulations, frames or "receivers" of ghost guns can be sold up to 80% complete, with other necessary components often included in a kit, alongside drill bits and jigs that allow for easy milling using a drill press.
• 3-D Printing Capability: Ghost guns can also be manufactured through 3-D printing, which creates physical objects from digital models utilizing layers of materials.
• Federal Laws on Guns: A federal law exists banning guns without sufficient metal content detectable by screening machines in public areas, such as airports. However, it does not mandate that these metal components be non-removable, allowing makers of plastic 3-D printed guns to integrate removable metal inserts.