Fighting ghosts

President Biden signed an executive order this week establishing a new federal task force that will assess, among other things, the growing threats posed by 3D-printed firearms. These weapons, part of a category of firearms known as “ghost guns,” have no serial numbers, making them nearly impossible to trace. But that’s not the only problem with ghost guns.

Generated by 3D printers or assembled from kits or parts purchased online, ghost guns can be easily obtained and used by individuals who might otherwise be prohibited from owning firearms. Unlike traditional guns, which require background checks, registration, and, in some states, permits to carry, ghost guns evade all such barriers, meaning minors, people with documented mental health issues, and convicted violent criminals can acquire them, increasing the likelihood of them being used illegally.

For law enforcement, the absence of serial numbers on ghost guns complicates efforts to solve crimes in which they are used, a scenario that has increased exponentially since 2017. With no way to trace their history and ownership, it’s impossible to link them to crimes, hindering criminal investigations and allowing illegal activities involving these firearms to go undetected for longer periods of time. Building guns at home has long been a hobby for firearm enthusiasts, but this is clearly something quite different.

In Oregon, where the number of ghost guns recovered at crime scenes increased by more than 1,000% in four years, the Legislature took action. Oregon House Bill 2005, which went into effect earlier this month, prohibits the sale, manufacture, and possession of any gun, unfinished gun frame, or receiver that lacks a serial number or is made with a material other than metal that can’t be picked up by a metal detector. Hobbyists can still build firearms at home; they’re just required to take any unmarked parts to a licensed gun dealer to be serialized if they intend to carry them.

We applaud the Oregon Legislature, President Biden, and others for taking steps to mitigate the threat of ghost guns. Through careful regulation and enforcement efforts, we can close the loopholes that allow ghost guns to proliferate on the streets and threaten public safety, and ensure homemade guns remain where they belong: in the realm of hobby.