Ghost guns are firearms that can be bought and assembled at home. They are often sold in "ghost gun kits" which contain all the materials needed to finish the gun and make it fully functional. Even guns that are unfinished only by a small margin are not considered firearms by the government. This means that the creation or purchase of these ghost guns are not regulated by gun control laws (background checks, etc.) and are not traceable by the government. In my research, I discovered how easy it is to purchase these guns. After just typing in ghost guns on google, I came across multiple websites where these are available for purchase. The open access to these guns enables criminals, unstable people, and even minors to buy firearms. Below is an image from Everytown for Gun Safety that depicts what is considered a firearm by the government. It is clear that the guns on the right are extremely similar to the "real" guns on the left. The guns on the left are unregulated; anyone can buy them and make them fully functional in their own home in a matter of hours. Ghost guns are not only available for purchase online, but can also be made using 3D printers. With access to specific computer downloads, anyone can make an unchecked firearm. These guns can be created entirely out of plastic, making them undetectable by metal detectors. In the past, there have been significant government efforts to limit the availability of downloadable firearms. However, the Trump administration removed downloadable guns from the U.S. Munition List, which made them widely accessible again. We must continue to tell our legislatures that these issues are important to us and that change is necessary.
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authorMy name is Emma and I am a Girl Scout working on my Gold Award. On this page, you can find posts about what I have learned about the issue of Gun Violence throughout my project. Archives |