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What is a ghost gun? -

If you have been following the news in the United States, you may have heard people using the term ‘ghost gun,’ and wondering what it means.

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Useful definition -

According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a ghost gun is a firearm that has been assembled by someone other than a licensed manufacturer.

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No serial number -

Ghost guns are very difficult to track, because they are generally made without a serial number. It is for this reason that they are popular among criminals.

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Not necessarily illegal -

Although it may sound illegal to build your own firearm, in fact not all ghost guns are illegal, and not all firearms are required to have a serial number.

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Statistics -

According to CBS, between 2016 and 2021 there were more than 45,000 ghost guns reported to the ATF as having been recovered by police from potential crime scenes.

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How they are made -

In terms of how they are made, people looking to build a ghost gun generally have two options: build one using a 3D printer or assemble one from a kit.

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Cost -

Ghost guns are relatively cheap: it is possible to produce one of these weapons for under US$200, although according to officials the average price is around US$500.

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Available online -

They are also easily accessible. Kits are available online for all sorts of weapons, and until August 2023, anyone could purchase one without a background check.

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Example -

Indeed, in 2018, a CBS reporter was able to purchase a gun similar to a Glock 9mm without having to provide a background check or submit to any waiting period.

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Easy to build -

Ghost guns also appear relatively simple to build. There are online tutorials explaining how to fit the parts of a fully functioning firearm together in under an hour.

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Firearms for personal use -

If you are reading this and thinking that ghost guns must be illegal, think again. In general, according to the ATF, it is legal to make a firearm for personal use without a license.

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Caveat -

However, as per the Gun Control Act, anyone who builds their own firearm using a 3D printer or otherwise must ensure that the weapon is ‘detectable.’

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Illegal in practice -

This means that there are a lot of ghost guns out there that are, in fact, illegal, despite the fact that in general people are allowed to build them.

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State-specific laws -

It is also important to note that some states, including New York, where the recent high-profile ghost gun case happened, have their own additional laws related to these weapons.

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Pressing concern -

In terms of the scale of the issue, experts in the United States have called ghost guns the country’s "fastest-growing gun safety problem."

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Increasingly common -

Indeed, it is becoming increasingly common for law enforcement to discover that a ghost gun has been used in a high-profile shooting. 

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Main issue -

According to the authorities, the biggest problem with ghost guns is the fact that they do not include a serial number on their frames.

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Impossible to track -

Without this, it is virtually impossible for law enforcement to track dealers who may be selling them illegally, either to minors or to someone without a license.

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The context -

Of course, it is worth remembering that ghost guns are just one factor in the wider issue that is gun control in the United States.

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CDC statistics -

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 48,000 people were killed by firearms generally in the US in 2022.

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Impact of recent events -

The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson with what appeared to be a ghost gun has brought the topic of ghost gun regulation to the forefront.

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Attempts at regulation -

During the Biden administration, the government has tried to regulate ghost guns by saying they should be treated in the same way as commercially available firearms.

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Recent changes to the law -

Indeed, manufacturers of ghost gun kits must now include serial numbers on their products, and sellers are required to perform background checks on their purchasers.

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Supreme Court position -

In October 2024, the Supreme Court indicated that it would be willing to uphold the law, which has been challenged by gun rights groups.

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Changing tack -

If it makes a ruling that withholds the ATF's new regulation, this would mark a departure from the Supreme Court’s previous position, which was to be largely skeptical of gun regulations.

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Looking ahead -

On the topic of firearms in general, US President-elect Donald Trump is a staunch defender of the Second Amendment and has referred to himself as the National Rifle Association’s "best friend."

Sources: (CBS) (BBC)

See also: Gun violence is the most common cause of death for children in the US

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