In the wake of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's shocking death, the focus has intensified on so-called ghost guns. The firearm police recovered from the alleged shooter, Luigi Mangione, is suspected to be a ghost gun, defined by its capability to be assembled at home and often lacking serial numbers, making them virtually untraceable. This incident highlights the growing concern over these firearms, which have increasingly been linked to violent crime in the U.S., with law enforcement recording a significant uptick in their usage.
Ghost Guns: The Untraceable Firearms Behind Tragedy in New York
Ghost Guns: The Untraceable Firearms Behind Tragedy in New York
A recent shooting involving a healthcare executive has brought ghost guns back into the national conversation regarding gun control.
According to investigators, the weapon found with Mangione was a semi-automatic pistol, potentially featuring a 3D-printed receiver, capable of firing 9mm rounds. Ghost guns can be made with parts purchased online, and until recently, these components could be bought without background checks, leading to fears that they are easily accessible to those who should not possess them.
Advocacy groups have labeled ghost guns as "the fastest growing gun safety problem in the country," and data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) indicates that law enforcement seized around 20,000 suspected ghost guns in 2022, a dramatic increase compared to just six years prior.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Biden administration has sought to implement regulations akin to those governing traditional firearms, mandating that manufacturers of ghost gun kits include serial numbers and conduct background checks. The new rules have faced significant challenges from gun rights advocates, yet the U.S. Supreme Court has recently shown willing to uphold this legislation, indicating a potential shift in the conservative court's stance on gun control.
As gun violence remains a pervasive issue, the tragic loss of Thompson serves as a stark reminder of the urgency in addressing the ghost gun phenomenon. The complexities surrounding regulation persist, with calls for tighter controls echoing amidst a backdrop of increasing fatalities linked to firearms in the U.S. Over 48,000 individuals lost their lives to gun-related violence in 2022, underscoring the critical need for effective policy responses in safeguarding public safety.
Advocacy groups have labeled ghost guns as "the fastest growing gun safety problem in the country," and data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) indicates that law enforcement seized around 20,000 suspected ghost guns in 2022, a dramatic increase compared to just six years prior.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Biden administration has sought to implement regulations akin to those governing traditional firearms, mandating that manufacturers of ghost gun kits include serial numbers and conduct background checks. The new rules have faced significant challenges from gun rights advocates, yet the U.S. Supreme Court has recently shown willing to uphold this legislation, indicating a potential shift in the conservative court's stance on gun control.
As gun violence remains a pervasive issue, the tragic loss of Thompson serves as a stark reminder of the urgency in addressing the ghost gun phenomenon. The complexities surrounding regulation persist, with calls for tighter controls echoing amidst a backdrop of increasing fatalities linked to firearms in the U.S. Over 48,000 individuals lost their lives to gun-related violence in 2022, underscoring the critical need for effective policy responses in safeguarding public safety.
