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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 25, 2021 12:16 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Mike Zabel |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Banning “Ghost Gun” Parts |
| The rise in popularity of so-called “ghost guns” has made access to deadly firearms incredibly easy, with more than 1,300 ghost guns linked to crimes, including drug and gun trafficking, robbery, terrorism, and murder, over the past decade. In our own state, investigators seized 99 ghost guns in 2019, and 250 in 2020. Additionally, more than 80 ghost guns have already been seized in Pennsylvania this year alone. In the interest of public safety, our own Attorney General, Josh Shapiro, has worked to stop the sale of ghost gun parts at gun shows and recently issued a letter urging the U.S. Attorney General, Merrick Garland, to modify Gun Control Act regulations to require background checks for ghost guns. Under existing law, a person who cannot legally own a gun may purchase such parts and assemble an untraceable, or “ghost,” gun that is almost impossible for law enforcement to track. These gaps in Pennsylvania law allow the high demand for untraceable guns and gun parts to be met without any oversight. My legislation would close these loopholes by prohibiting the purchase, sale, and production of untraceable gun parts. We need to act before it is too late, and our streets are overrun with these dangerous weapons. Please join me in keeping ghost guns out of the hands of criminals, easing law enforcement investigations of gun crimes, and saving the lives of countless innocent Pennsylvanians. |
Introduced as HB1966