In June of this year, Philadelphia joined the list of major cities in the United States that are taking legal action against the manufacturers of “ghost guns” – firearms that can be easily assembled from kits and components purchased online. This move comes in response to a significant increase in ghost gun-related shootings, arrests, and deaths in the city. Last year, Philadelphia police seized 575 ghost guns, compared to just 95 in 2019. So far this year, around 300 ghost guns have been taken off the streets, with the majority of them being made using parts from two companies, Polymer80 and JSD Supply, both of which are now facing litigation from Philadelphia.
The phenomenon of ghost guns is spreading rapidly across the country, with the Department of Justice recovering over 25,000 of these weapons in 2022 alone – a ten-fold increase from 2016. To combat this issue, cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC have resorted to suing parts manufacturers in an attempt to curtail the availability of ghost guns. The Biden Administration has also recognized the urgency of the situation and has called for the reinstatement of restrictions on the sale of ghost gun kits nationwide.
What makes ghost guns so dangerous is also what makes them attractive to individuals seeking firearms outside of the traditional means. These guns can bypass gun control regulations and are untraceable due to the lack of serial numbers. According to Professor Michelle Rippy, Director of the Forensic Science Research Center at Cal State East Bay, “Just as fentanyl is cheap and easy to manufacture, so too is the ease of assembling ghost guns.” In the past, ghost guns required a 3D printer to convert blueprints into functioning weapons. However, today, pre-printed components can be easily sourced online, with tutorials readily available on websites like Reddit. As a result, cities like New York and Los Angeles have experienced a significant increase in ghost gun seizures.
Almost all instances of ghost gun-related crimes involve gangs, many of which are connected to the fentanyl trade. Professor Rippy explains that ghost guns are particularly appealing to criminal enterprises due to their ease of assembly. Similarly to fentanyl, they can be quickly and cheaply manufactured. Recent cases in New York, New Jersey, and California have exposed the convergence of fentanyl trafficking and ghost guns, indicating a dangerous intersection of two illicit industries.
Illicit fentanyl has gained popularity as a street drug due to its potency and ease of production. Unlike heroin, which requires extensive cultivation and distribution networks, fentanyl can be entirely synthesized in a lab. Once drug cartels obtained the necessary knowledge from China, the manufacturing of fentanyl surpassed that of heroin. This has led to a surge in cross-border trafficking, with fentanyl flowing into the US and ghost guns making their way to Mexico.
Much like illicit drugs, ghost guns have become increasingly difficult to trace and regulate. Professor Alexander McCourt, Director of legal research at the Center for Gun Violence Solutions, highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracing ghost guns. Despite the ATF’s attempts to trace these weapons, they have only succeeded in a small number of cases. This lack of traceability has resulted in widespread availability and use of ghost guns by violent gangs.
Efforts to combat the dual epidemics of fentanyl and ghost guns are underway, with politicians and law enforcement taking action. Lawsuits against gun manufacturers, similar to those initiated by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, are being pursued by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. He is advocating for legislation that would subject ghost gun parts and kits to the same background checks and qualifications as fully functioning firearms. However, these efforts face obstacles in the form of prosecutors who are lenient on crime, such as Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner.
In conclusion, the proliferation of ghost guns and the fentanyl trade have created intersecting epidemics of lawlessness and violence. The availability and ease of assembly of ghost guns, coupled with the profitability of fentanyl, have attracted criminal enterprises and contributed to the rise in violent crime. While there are ongoing efforts to address these issues through legal action and stricter enforcement, challenges remain in combating the illicit trade in both ghost guns and fentanyl.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
