The term “ghost gun” might conjure images of shadowy back-alley deals, but the reality is far more accessible and alarmingly mainstream. For many Americans, the question of where to buy ghost guns isn’t about illicit marketplaces, but rather a few clicks online and some readily available parts. This ease of acquisition is precisely why ghost guns have become the fastest-growing gun safety problem in the United States, raising critical questions about gun control and public safety.
Manuel Yambo tragically learned about ghost guns after his 16-year-old daughter, Angellyh, became a victim of one. He received the devastating call no parent ever wants to hear – Angellyh had been caught in the crossfire near her school. The vibrant young girl who had recently celebrated her sweet sixteen, dancing in a pink gown, was gone. Officials informed Mr. Yambo that the 17-year-old suspect used a ghost gun, a weapon frighteningly easy to obtain and intentionally designed to be untraceable.
Until recently, the answer to where to buy ghost guns components was simple: the internet. Prior to August 2023, individuals could legally purchase many of the parts necessary to assemble a fully functional firearm online, without undergoing background checks. Numerous online tutorials provide step-by-step instructions on how to convert these parts into a working gun in under an hour using basic tools. “I was just in shock how easy it was to get it,” Mr. Yambo expressed, highlighting the alarming accessibility of these deadly weapons. “You would think things like that, you can’t just order it online as if it was a toy.”
Law enforcement and gun control advocates are sounding the alarm, labeling ghost guns as the most rapidly escalating gun safety crisis in America. The statistics are stark: recoveries of ghost guns from crime scenes by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have surged by over 1,000% since 2017. New York City’s experience vividly illustrates this trend. In 2018, the NYPD seized its first ghost gun, recovering 17 that year. This number jumped to 50 in 2019, then to 150 in 2020, and skyrocketed to 275 in 2021.
The untraceable nature of ghost guns poses a significant challenge to law enforcement. At the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network facility, ballistic evidence is meticulously analyzed to connect firearms to crime scenes nationwide. However, the absence of serial numbers on ghost gun frames renders them virtually impossible to trace. This lack of traceability severely hinders investigations and makes it difficult to hold accountable those who illegally supply firearms to minors or individuals prohibited from owning guns. ATF officer Jerome McClinton emphasized the severity of the issue, stating, “Pretty much anyone can get these ghost guns and order parts and make a gun that’s just as well as the guns we carry.”
In an attempt to address this growing problem, the Biden administration implemented new regulations in August 2023. These rules reclassify key components used in ghost gun assembly, such as pre-packaged kits and functional frames or receivers, as traditional firearms. This reclassification mandates serial numbers on these components, aiming to bring ghost guns into the regulated firearm system. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that this rule “will make it harder for criminals and other prohibited persons to obtain untraceable guns,” and enhance law enforcement’s ability to solve gun-related crimes.
However, the implementation of these federal regulations has faced legal obstacles. A federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked the rule, arguing that the White House had exceeded its authority. Subsequently, the Supreme Court intervened in August 2023, allowing the new rules to remain in effect while the Biden administration appeals the Texas court’s decision. The legal battle continues, potentially leading back to the Supreme Court for a final resolution.
Beyond federal action, approximately a dozen states have enacted their own bans on ghost guns. Despite these efforts, David Pucino, deputy chief counsel at the Giffords Law Center, argues that current regulations are insufficient. He points out that loopholes remain, particularly regarding “unfinished” frames or receivers that are not yet covered by federal rules. Furthermore, the lack of a unified national framework allows gun traffickers to exploit jurisdictional differences, easily transporting ghost guns from states with lax laws to those with stricter bans.
The concerns surrounding ghost guns extend beyond national borders. In October, a group of senators urged the ATF to provide a report on the enforcement of the new regulations. However, the agency has expressed concern that more aggressive enforcement actions might be legally vulnerable, given recent Supreme Court rulings that broadly protect Second Amendment rights. Adding to the complexity, ghost guns are increasingly becoming an international issue. There are reports of ghost gun parts being trafficked out of the US, with shipments directly to Mexico, raising fears of cartel use. In Western Europe, the utilization of 3D printers to manufacture ghost guns is also emerging as a threat, according to Mr. Pucino. The ATF has issued warnings that America’s ghost gun trend could spread globally. ATF Special Agent in Charge Charlie Patterson cautioned, “I would say that if ghost guns has not been an issue for those other countries, then it’s probably going to be eventually.”
The rapid proliferation of ghost guns has intensified scrutiny on manufacturers and retailers involved in their distribution. In 2022, New York’s attorney general initiated legal action against several online retailers accused of illegally selling unserialized frames and receivers. In January of this year, a New York court granted an injunction, effectively removing ghost guns from the market within the state. Polymer80, identified as the largest ghost gun manufacturer in the US, has faced significant criticism from lawmakers nationwide. Washington, DC, secured a $4 million judgment against Polymer80 for consumer protection violations, citing false claims about the legality of their weapons in the District and the illegal sale of guns to DC residents.
However, Loran Kelley, co-founder of Polymer80, dismisses concerns about ghost guns as a “myth” and a “divisive non-issue.” He is currently appealing the DC ruling and characterizes other lawsuits as frivolous. He also achieved a legal victory in Nevada, where a judge struck down parts of the state’s ghost gun ban, deeming them “unconstitutionally vague.” Mr. Kelley argues that ghost guns represent a small percentage of total firearms recovered by law enforcement. In 2021, the ATF recovered over 460,000 guns, compared to approximately 19,000 ghost guns. While expressing sympathy for Angellyh’s family, Mr. Kelley opposes government regulation of firearms based on his interpretation of the Second Amendment. He downplays statistics highlighting gun violence, such as firearms being the leading cause of death for American children and teens, arguing, “People need to separate in their minds violence and guns.” He attributes violence to societal issues, stating, “If we have troubled kids or we have people who feel disenfranchised in this country, which we do in spades, that’s the source of this (violence).”
This distinction is one Angellyh’s family rejects. Mr. Yambo holds manufacturers accountable for his daughter’s death and is establishing a foundation to support those impacted by gun violence. His poignant question, “Who were these guns made for? Why were they sold in parts – in order to avoid being detected by the Department of Justice and the ATF?” encapsulates the frustration and grief of families grappling with the devastating consequences of ghost guns and the ease with which they can be obtained – often with just a simple online search for where to buy ghost guns components. The ongoing debate underscores the urgent need for effective measures to address the proliferation of these untraceable weapons and prevent further tragedies.
