President Joe Biden has announced new federal regulations aimed at tightening control over gun kits and the assembly of firearms, with the hope of reducing school shootings. Since November 2021, several school shootings in the U.S. have been linked to the use of “ghost guns,” which are firearms that can be purchased as kits or 3D-printed, allowing individuals to create guns without a serial number, making them untraceable. These weapons are particularly concerning because they can be obtained by individuals who fail background checks, including minors, and can be assembled in as little as half an hour.
This week, Biden is taking steps to fulfill his campaign promise to tackle gun violence by enforcing stricter regulations on ghost guns. The new laws mandate background checks for anyone buying ghost gun kits and require serial numbers on certain parts for easier tracking. Additionally, firearms dealers will be legally obligated to add serial numbers to ghost guns that come into their possession.
Biden issued a stern warning to manufacturers and unlawful users of ghost guns, stating, “Not only will state and local prosecutors pursue you, but expect federal charges and prosecution as well.” Mia Tretta, a teenager shot by a ghost gun during a California school shooting three years ago, emphasized the ease of assembling such weapons, noting, “If you can put together an IKEA dresser, you can build a ghost gun.” Tretta’s harrowing experience highlights the urgent need for these regulations to prevent similar tragedies.
The rise in “privately made firearms” has been alarming, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reporting a jump from 1,750 cases in 2016 to over 8,700 in 2020. Recent incidents include a 15-year-old student who used a ghost gun to injure a classmate in Phoenix and a 14-year-old charged with murder for using a ghost gun in Albuquerque.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has labeled gun violence a “serious public health threat,” but Biden has faced challenges in pushing for more comprehensive gun control measures, especially those requiring bipartisan support in Congress. To date, only a few states and cities have moved to regulate ghost guns, including New York, which saw a staggering 478% increase in ghost gun seizures over three years.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted the need for these changes, noting that the definition of a “firearm” has not been updated in over five decades, despite the significant rise in ghost gun recoveries. The new regulations are part of a broader effort by the Justice Department to combat violent crime and protect communities from the growing threat of gun violence.
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