SPRINGFIELD MA (WGGB/WSHM ) – Local leaders and law enforcement are urging the state legislature to help crackdown on ghost weapons as a ghost weapon restriction court battle is played out at federal level.
Massachusetts law enforcement agencies are fighting the increasing number of crimes involving ghost guns. Ghost guns can be easily made with a 3D-printer or parts bought online.
In Springfield, for example, police seized 35 ghost guns in 2022. The department has removed 26 ghost guns from the streets so far in 2023. Springfield Police spokesperson Ryan Walsh discussed ghost guns with Western Mass News. He told us how some laws made it difficult for law enforcement to arrest those in possession.
“They find a lot of ghost gun parts that aren’t officially assembled into a firearm yet,” Walsh said. “Unless it’s fully assembled, it can be hard to charge properly.”
Carlos Gonzalez was contacted by the Department to discuss its thoughts. He told Western Mass News legislators were currently working on requiring ghost guns manufacturers to put serial numbers on barrels.
“Many folks, who are fabricating the ghost guns, have been able to get away with not being able to be tracked and traced,” Gonzalez added.
Gonzalez told Western Mass News he had submitted a bill last year that would have serial numbers placed on ghost guns. He said it’s picking up steam at the State House.
“New legislation has been supported by the House has some ways of being able to track and trace every weapon,” Gonzalez said.
Walsh said that until laws are passed to make it easier for the law enforcement agencies to crackdown on these crimes, violent crimes could be committed using these weapons that cannot be traced.
“Oftentimes, these turn into high-capacity firearms. With a Glock switch as well, they can turn into fully automatic firearms,” Walsh explained.
Copyright until 2023. Western Mass News, WGGB/WSHM. All rights reserved.
