Understanding Ghost Guns: The Controversial Firearms at the Center of the New York CEO Shooting

Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of CEO Brian Thompson, allegedly used a ghost gun, which has raised public concern over its increasing prevalence and the regulatory challenges surrounding it.

The tragic shooting death of healthcare executive Brian Thompson has cast a spotlight on ghost guns, a term used to describe firearms that can be assembled at home and lack traditional serial numbers. As investigators arrested suspect Luigi Mangione and recovered a pistol believed to be a ghost gun, attention turned to the implications of such weapons on gun safety and regulation.

Ghost guns are often made from kits or 3D-printed components and can be rapidly assembled without the need for background checks, leading to concerns about their accessibility to individuals who might otherwise be prohibited from owning firearms. The weapon recovered from Mangione was described as a semi-automatic pistol featuring a possibly 3D-printed receiver and capable of firing 9mm rounds, raising questions about its source and legality.

The Biden administration has previously referred to ghost guns as "ridiculously easy" to construct, highlighting a growing concern among advocacy groups that argue these firearms represent a burgeoning issue for gun safety in America. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reported significant increases in ghost gun usage; in 2022 alone, approximately 20,000 suspected ghost guns were discovered in criminal cases, a tenfold rise since 2016.

Critics of ghost guns warn that the lack of serial numbers complicates law enforcement efforts to trace these weapons and curb illegal sales, particularly to minors and unlicensed buyers. While some experts remain skeptical that public perception will shift significantly in light of violent incidents involving such firearms, prominent voices, including former government officials, have acknowledged that efforts to regulate them face substantial hurdles.

Recent regulatory changes require manufacturers of ghost gun kits to assign serial numbers and conduct background checks for purchasers, aiming to bring these weapons in line with conventional firearms. The U.S. Supreme Court's earlier hints of support for these regulations might signal a potential pathway for stricter controls, but resistance remains strong from gun rights advocates who argue that existing laws should protect their rights.

The backdrop of an ongoing debate about gun violence in the United States remains critical, as over 48,000 firearm-related fatalities were recorded in 2022. While President Trump emerged as a vocal proponent of Second Amendment rights, the challenges facing lawmakers and advocates seeking to mitigate the impacts of ghost guns highlight the complex dynamics at play in the broader conversation on gun control and public safety.