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A '''ghost gun''' is a firearm without serial numbers. The term is used by [[gun control]] advocates, [[gun rights]] advocates, law enforcement, and the firearm industry.<ref name="Greenberg"/><ref name="Steele"/><ref name="Melendez"/><ref name="Lee"/> By making the weapons themselves, owners may bypass background checks and registration regulations.<ref name="Greenberg"/> Ghost guns are also part of the illicit firearms trade.<ref name="NatGeo"/>
A '''ghost gun''' is a firearm without serial numbers. The term is used by [[gun control]] advocates, [[gun rights]] advocates, law enforcement, and the firearm industry.<ref name="Greenberg"/><ref name="Steele"/><ref name="Melendez"/><ref name="Lee"/> By making the firearms themselves, owners may legally bypass background checks and registration regulations.<ref name="Greenberg"/> Ghost guns may also become part of the illicit firearms trade, but ghost guns are not, in and of themselves, illegal under US Federal Law.<ref name="NatGeo"/>


There are three main techniques for creating a ghost gun receiver or frame.<ref name="Greenberg"/> [[3D printer]]s can create a receiver from scratch, using plastic or more durable metal.<ref name="Greenberg"/> Ghost guns have been made long before the advent of 3D printing, though.<ref name="Blackman"/> "Unfinished receivers", also called "80% receivers" on account of being 80% done, can be completed using a [[drill press]] or [[dremel]].<ref name="Stanton"/> Companies sell kits including drill bits, stencils, and jigs to aid the process.<ref name="Greenberg"/> [[Defense Distributed]] markets a [[Numerical control|computer-numerical-controlled]] (CNC) mill called the "Ghost Gunner" which carves the lower receiver from an aluminum unfinished receiver.<ref name="Greenberg"/>
There are three main techniques for creating a ghost gun receiver or frame.<ref name="Greenberg"/> [[3D printer]]s can create a receiver from scratch, using plastic or more durable metal.<ref name="Greenberg"/> Ghost guns have been made long before the advent of 3D printing, though.<ref name="Blackman"/> "Unfinished receivers", also called "80% receivers" on account of being 80% done, can be completed using a [[drill press]] or [[dremel]].<ref name="Stanton"/> Companies sell kits including drill bits, stencils, and jigs to aid the process.<ref name="Greenberg"/> [[Defense Distributed]] markets a [[Numerical control|computer-numerical-controlled]] (CNC) mill called the "Ghost Gunner" which carves the lower receiver from an aluminum unfinished receiver.<ref name="Greenberg"/>


Some ghost guns are [[AR-15]] style weapons.<ref name="Greenberg"/> AR-15s are modular weapons and the serial number is applied to the [[lower receiver]], which holds the trigger group and the chamber.<ref name="Greenberg"/> Once an individual has an AR-15 lower receiver, they can assemble a complete firearm using widely available components, such as barrels, stocks, magazines, and upper receivers.<ref name="Greenberg"/> Other ghost guns include pistols and AK-47 style semi-automatic rifles.<ref name="CBS"/> The Philippines is a center of ghost gun production, especially .45 semi-automatic pistols.<ref name="NatGeo"/>
Some ghost guns are [[AR-15]] style firearms.<ref name="Greenberg"/> AR-15s are modular firearms and the serial number is applied to the [[lower receiver]], which holds the trigger group and the chamber.<ref name="Greenberg"/> Once an individual has an AR-15 lower receiver, they can assemble a complete firearm using widely available components, such as barrels, stocks, magazines, and upper receivers.<ref name="Greenberg"/> Other ghost guns include pistols and AK-47 style semi-automatic rifles.<ref name="CBS"/> The Philippines is a center of ghost gun production, especially .45 semi-automatic pistols.<ref name="NatGeo"/>


Tracing ghost guns used in crimes is much harder than tracing serialized firearms due to the lack of a serial number.<ref name="Stanton"/> There are no manufacturer or sales records to check.<ref name=Horwitz"/> The difficulty means local law enforcement officers often do not even attempt traces of ghost guns.<ref name=Horwitz"/>
Tracing ghost guns used in crimes is much harder than tracing serialized firearms due to the lack of a serial number.<ref name="Stanton"/> There are no manufacturer or sales records to check.<ref name=Horwitz"/> The difficulty means local law enforcement officers often do not even attempt traces of ghost guns.<ref name=Horwitz"/>


Under US federal law, transferring a ghost gun is a felony but owning one is allowed, assuming that no other impediments exists.<ref name="Greenberg"/> ATF officials characterize this as a loophole.<ref name=Horwitz"/> The US State Department has sued to take computer files to control 3D-printers off the internet.<ref name= "Moody"/> The FBI reported in 2013 that it had seized hundreds of ghost guns, including a machine gun,<ref Name="CBS"/> and unregistered [[silencers]].<ref name="Stanton"/> The FBI does not generally track the use of homemade weapons.<ref name="Hurd2"/> ATF agents say that ghost guns are sold at a $1,0000 premium due to being untraceable.<ref name="Luery"/> According to the FBI, the popularity of ghost guns grew following the [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]] in 2012, which sparked fears of new gun control measures.<ref name="Stanton"/>
Under US federal law, transferring a ghost gun is a felony but owning one is allowed, assuming that no other impediments exists.<ref name="Greenberg"/> ATF officials characterize this as a loophole.<ref name=Horwitz"/> The US State Department has sued to take computer files to control 3D-printers off the internet.<ref name= "Moody"/> The FBI reported in 2013 that it had seized hundreds of ghost guns, including a machine gun,<ref Name="CBS"/> and unregistered [[silencers]].<ref name="Stanton"/> The FBI does not generally track the use of homemade firearms.<ref name="Hurd2"/> ATF agents say that ghost guns are sold at a $1,0000 premium due to being untraceable.<ref name="Luery"/> According to the FBI, the popularity of ghost guns grew following the [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]] in 2012, which sparked fears of new gun control measures.<ref name="Stanton"/>


Other jurisdictions have laws prohibiting possession of ghost guns. California, especially Sacramento, has been a hub of ghost gun production.<ref name="CBS2"/> The ATF speculated in 2014 that there are tens of thousands of ghost guns in California alone.<ref name=Horwitz"/> Three noted crimes in California were committed with ghost guns: a murder-suicide involving college students in Walnut Creek, a shootout between hostage-taking bank robbers and Stockton police officers, and a [[2013 Santa Monica shooting|mass shooting at Santa Monica College]] in 2013 by a student who was prohibited from owning a gun.<ref name="Hurd"/><ref name="Melendez"/><ref name="Hurd2"/> In 2014, California enacted a law to require serial numbers on unfinished receivers and all other firearms, including antique guns.<ref name="Eger"/> In 2016, it passed a measure requiring anyone planning to build a weapon to register with the state and to pass a background check.<ref name="Reuters"/> Because of uncertainty over the laws in various jurisdictions, two US shipping companies, FedEx and UPS, have refused to transport Ghost Gunner milling machines.<ref name="Greenberg2"/> New York State Attorney General [[Eric Schneiderman]] said in 2015 it is "easy" for "criminals to make completely untraceable, military-grade firearms."<ref name="Bolger"/>
Other jurisdictions have laws prohibiting possession of ghost guns. California, especially Sacramento, has been a hub of ghost gun production.<ref name="CBS2"/> The ATF speculated in 2014 that there are tens of thousands of ghost guns in California alone.<ref name=Horwitz"/> Three noted crimes in California were committed with ghost guns: a murder-suicide involving college students in Walnut Creek, a shootout between hostage-taking bank robbers and Stockton police officers, and a [[2013 Santa Monica shooting|mass shooting at Santa Monica College]] in 2013 by a student who was prohibited from owning a gun.<ref name="Hurd"/><ref name="Melendez"/><ref name="Hurd2"/> In 2014, California enacted a law to require serial numbers on unfinished receivers and all other firearms, including antique guns.<ref name="Eger"/> In 2016, it passed a measure requiring anyone planning to build a firearm to register with the state and to pass a background check.<ref name="Reuters"/> Because of uncertainty over the laws in various jurisdictions, two US shipping companies, FedEx and UPS, have refused to transport Ghost Gunner milling machines.<ref name="Greenberg2"/> New York State Attorney General [[Eric Schneiderman]] said in 2015 it is "easy" for "criminals to make completely untraceable, military-grade firearms."<ref name="Bolger"/>


Proponents of ghost guns include Gun rights activists and anarchists.<ref name= "Moody"/> They say that making firearms is the right of every American which maintains the privacy of gun owners.<ref name=Horwitz"/> Individuals have organized "build parties" where equipment and expertise are shared to help create ghost guns. One organizer in California advertised, "No Serial Numbers, No Registration, No Big Brother...We Host Build Parties."<ref name=Horwitz"/> The same vendor predicted he would sold 75,000 unfinished receivers in 2014. The ATF raided his store that year and confiscated 6,000 receiver blanks which they said were too close to finished units.<ref name=Horwitz"/> A Sacramento man was arrested for "creating the fiction" that buyers were creating their guns themselves.<ref Name="CBS"/> Advocates say that ghost guns are used in crime rarely despite widespread ownership.<ref name="Hurd"/> Gun rights advocates and law enforcement say that, because of the cost and effort needed to create ghost guns, criminals are more likely to use manufactured firearms instead.<ref name="Hurd2"/>
Proponents of ghost guns include Gun rights activists and anarchists.<ref name= "Moody"/> They say that making firearms is the right of every American which maintains the privacy of gun owners.<ref name=Horwitz"/> Individuals have organized "build parties" where equipment and expertise are shared to help create ghost guns. One organizer in California advertised, "No Serial Numbers, No Registration, No Big Brother...We Host Build Parties."<ref name=Horwitz"/> The same vendor predicted he would sold 75,000 unfinished receivers in 2014. The ATF raided his store that year and confiscated 6,000 receiver blanks which they said were too close to finished units.<ref name=Horwitz"/> A Sacramento man was arrested for "creating the fiction" that buyers were creating their guns themselves.<ref Name="CBS"/> Advocates say that ghost guns are used in crime rarely despite widespread ownership.<ref name="Hurd"/> Gun rights advocates and law enforcement say that, because of the cost and effort needed to create ghost guns, criminals are more likely to use manufactured firearms instead.<ref name="Hurd2"/>

Revision as of 19:41, 19 October 2016

A ghost gun is a firearm without serial numbers. The term is used by gun control advocates, gun rights advocates, law enforcement, and the firearm industry.[1][2][3][4] By making the firearms themselves, owners may legally bypass background checks and registration regulations.[1] Ghost guns may also become part of the illicit firearms trade, but ghost guns are not, in and of themselves, illegal under US Federal Law.[5]

There are three main techniques for creating a ghost gun receiver or frame.[1] 3D printers can create a receiver from scratch, using plastic or more durable metal.[1] Ghost guns have been made long before the advent of 3D printing, though.[6] "Unfinished receivers", also called "80% receivers" on account of being 80% done, can be completed using a drill press or dremel.[7] Companies sell kits including drill bits, stencils, and jigs to aid the process.[1] Defense Distributed markets a computer-numerical-controlled (CNC) mill called the "Ghost Gunner" which carves the lower receiver from an aluminum unfinished receiver.[1]

Some ghost guns are AR-15 style firearms.[1] AR-15s are modular firearms and the serial number is applied to the lower receiver, which holds the trigger group and the chamber.[1] Once an individual has an AR-15 lower receiver, they can assemble a complete firearm using widely available components, such as barrels, stocks, magazines, and upper receivers.[1] Other ghost guns include pistols and AK-47 style semi-automatic rifles.[8] The Philippines is a center of ghost gun production, especially .45 semi-automatic pistols.[5]

Tracing ghost guns used in crimes is much harder than tracing serialized firearms due to the lack of a serial number.[7] There are no manufacturer or sales records to check.[9] The difficulty means local law enforcement officers often do not even attempt traces of ghost guns.[9]

Under US federal law, transferring a ghost gun is a felony but owning one is allowed, assuming that no other impediments exists.[1] ATF officials characterize this as a loophole.[9] The US State Department has sued to take computer files to control 3D-printers off the internet.[10] The FBI reported in 2013 that it had seized hundreds of ghost guns, including a machine gun,[8] and unregistered silencers.[7] The FBI does not generally track the use of homemade firearms.[11] ATF agents say that ghost guns are sold at a $1,0000 premium due to being untraceable.[12] According to the FBI, the popularity of ghost guns grew following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, which sparked fears of new gun control measures.[7]

Other jurisdictions have laws prohibiting possession of ghost guns. California, especially Sacramento, has been a hub of ghost gun production.[13] The ATF speculated in 2014 that there are tens of thousands of ghost guns in California alone.[9] Three noted crimes in California were committed with ghost guns: a murder-suicide involving college students in Walnut Creek, a shootout between hostage-taking bank robbers and Stockton police officers, and a mass shooting at Santa Monica College in 2013 by a student who was prohibited from owning a gun.[14][3][11] In 2014, California enacted a law to require serial numbers on unfinished receivers and all other firearms, including antique guns.[15] In 2016, it passed a measure requiring anyone planning to build a firearm to register with the state and to pass a background check.[16] Because of uncertainty over the laws in various jurisdictions, two US shipping companies, FedEx and UPS, have refused to transport Ghost Gunner milling machines.[17] New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in 2015 it is "easy" for "criminals to make completely untraceable, military-grade firearms."[18]

Proponents of ghost guns include Gun rights activists and anarchists.[10] They say that making firearms is the right of every American which maintains the privacy of gun owners.[9] Individuals have organized "build parties" where equipment and expertise are shared to help create ghost guns. One organizer in California advertised, "No Serial Numbers, No Registration, No Big Brother...We Host Build Parties."[9] The same vendor predicted he would sold 75,000 unfinished receivers in 2014. The ATF raided his store that year and confiscated 6,000 receiver blanks which they said were too close to finished units.[9] A Sacramento man was arrested for "creating the fiction" that buyers were creating their guns themselves.[8] Advocates say that ghost guns are used in crime rarely despite widespread ownership.[14] Gun rights advocates and law enforcement say that, because of the cost and effort needed to create ghost guns, criminals are more likely to use manufactured firearms instead.[11]

Further reading

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Greenberg, Andy (June 3, 2015). "I Made an Untraceable AR-15 Ghost Gun in My Office And It Was Easy". Wired. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  2. ^ Steele, Chandra (October 1, 2014). "'Ghost Gunner' Makes Untraceable Guns Using a PC". PCmag.com.
  3. ^ a b Melendez, Lyanne (August 4, 2015). "Walnut Creek Police Say 'Ghost Gun' Used In Murder-Suicide". KGO-TV San Francisco, ABC News.
  4. ^ Lee, Henry K. (August 4, 2015). "Walnut Creek murder-suicide suspect used "ghost guns," police say". SFGATE.COM. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  5. ^ a b "GHOST GUNS". National Geographic. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  6. ^ Blackman, Josh (June 14, 2014). "The 1st Amendment, 2nd Amendment, And 3d Printed Guns". 81 Tennessee Law Review 479 (2014). p. 511.
  7. ^ a b c d "California black market surges for ghost guns". Sacramento Bee. December 19, 2015. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help)
  8. ^ a b c "Illegal Firearm Maker Dr. Death Helped Create Untraceable Ghost Guns". CBS SF Bay Area. May 19, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Horwitz, Sara (May 13, 2014). "Unfinished receivers, a gun part that is sold separately, lets some get around the law". Washington Post. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  10. ^ a b Moody, Oliver (25 June 2016). "Anarchist will supply kit to build your own assault rifle". The Times [London (UK)].
  11. ^ a b c Hurd, Rick (August 12, 2016). "Homemade gun in Stanford student's murder-suicide spurs question on 'ghost guns'". The Mercury News. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  12. ^ Luery, Mike (Oct 15, 2015). "8 Northern California men indicted for making 'ghost guns': More than 230 illegal guns seized by federal agents". KCRA. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  13. ^ "Sacramento At Center Of Untraceable 'Ghost Gun' Surge". CBS Sacramento. May 16, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  14. ^ a b Hurd, Rick (August 7, 2015). "Police Eye 'Ghost Gun' In Recent Slaying: With The Rise Of Homemade Firearms, Legislation Sought To Make It Easier To Trace Them". San Jose Mercury News. p. A1.
  15. ^ Eger, Chris (September 14, 2014). "California Ghost Gun Bill creeps onto governor's desk". Guns.com. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  16. ^ Dobuzinski, Alex (July 23, 2016). "California governor signs bill to require registration of 'ghost guns'". Reuters. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  17. ^ Greenberg, Andy. "FedEx And UPS Refuse to Ship a Digital Mill That Can Make Untraceable Guns". Wired. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  18. ^ Bolger, Timothy (June 26, 2015). "Long Island Trio Charged in NY's First Ghost Gun Bust". Long Island Press. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
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