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What are 'Ghost Guns', like the one believed to have been used by the killer of United Healthcare CEO

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Published  December 10, 2024 6:18pm CST
Houston
FOX 26 Houston

What are 'ghost guns', why could they be a danger?

New York police say a "ghost gun" was believed to be the murder weapon used to shoot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson by accused killed Luigi Mangione. FOX 26's Tom Zizka looked at what those weapons were and which circumstances might make them a danger.

The Brief

    • The Ghost Gun Phenomenon: Ghost guns, which are firearms assembled from parts without serial numbers, have become a growing concern due to their potential for misuse. 
    • Traceability and Regulation: While ghost guns may lack traditional serial numbers, ballistics analysis can still be used to trace them back to a specific crime. Recent regulations have aimed to tighten controls on the sale of ghost gun components.
    • The Supreme Court's Role: The Supreme Court's decision on the legality of certain gun regulations could have significant implications for the future of ghost guns.

HOUSTON - New York police say a so-called 'ghost gun', believed to be the murder weapon used to shoot United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was with accused killer Luigi Mangione when he was caught. 

The name 'ghost gun' can conjure a scary idea about weapons that can't be traced, and make no mistake that there have been instances of that. But for decades, enthusiasts have built their own guns for their personal use.

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Gordon Taylor, who owns Houston's Black Gold Guns & Ammo shop notes, "It's legal to build your own gun."

Since the 1968 Gun Control Act, kits and components have been available to build rifles and handguns, primarily to customize the product. But those parts have not been required to have the serial number of a finished weapon, while the advent of 3D printers have further blurred the trail of where parts come from.

There is speculation that accused-killer Luigi Mangione may have used a ghost gun to hide his involvement, but experts say the moment the trigger was pulled, there was a traceable connection between the bullet and the gun. 

"They don't have a serial number, but they still have a unique signature. The barrel, (and) any of the ballistics on the gun, when the shell casing comes out, everything on that is still traceable and identifiable," says Taylor.

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In 2022, the Biden administration imposed new rules that labeled certain gun kits as 'traditional firearms' that required serial numbers on their parts, and background checks for prospective buyers. The Supreme Court is currently considering the fate of that policy. 

Still, Taylor says even without it, police can track the history of ghost guns used for violence, "Once they have their hands on the gun, the gun is going to tell on itself."

The ATF says it received approximately 45,000 reports of suspected ghost guns recovered by police in the five years between 2016 and 2021. In 2022, that number was more than 25,000.

The Supreme Court decision is expected to be released next summer.

The Source

  • FOX 26 Reporter Tom Zizka spoke with Gordon Taylor, owner of Houston's Black Gold Guns & Ammo. 

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