Untraceable ghost guns surge as crime and suicide rates climb nationwide

Law enforcement agencies recovered 19,300 homemade firearms, known as ghost guns, in 2021. This marked a sharp rise from figures recorded in 2018. The weapons are difficult to trace because they lack serial numbers and are often assembled from kits or 3D-printed parts. Ghost guns are defined by the ATF as firearms made by unlicensed individuals, making them hard to track. Their assembly requires minimal technical skill, often involving just the final steps on a 'lower receiver'. Their untraceable nature has contributed to their growing popularity.

Between 2016 and 2021, authorities recovered 45,240 suspected ghost guns, including in 692 homicides or attempted homicides. In California alone, these weapons accounted for 25 to 50% of firearms found at crime scenes over 18 months in 2020-2021. Many of their owners were legally barred from possessing firearms.

The weapons have also been linked to high-profile cases. These include the 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the 2019 fatal shooting of two high school students.

In response, the Biden administration introduced a rule in 2022 to regulate the sale of ghost gun kits and parts. The Supreme Court upheld this regulation in 2023. A study further revealed a public health impact, showing a 6.4% increase in firearm suicide rates for every 20 ghost guns recovered per 100,000 people. Experts now view ghost guns as both a law enforcement challenge and a public health threat. The 2022 regulation aims to curb their spread by controlling the sale of assembly kits. Authorities continue to monitor their impact on crime and suicide rates.