President announces new rule to target untraceable firearms, stressing the need to reduce gun violence.
In a major effort to combat gun violence in the U.S., President Joe Biden has vowed to crack down on “ghost guns” — untraceable firearms often assembled from parts purchased in kits. These weapons, which have been increasingly linked to criminal activity, lack serial numbers and are sold without background checks, making them difficult for law enforcement to trace.
Speaking at the White House, Biden emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling ghost guns “weapons of choice for many criminals.” He pledged to do everything possible to prevent their proliferation and hold offenders accountable, saying, “If you commit a crime with a ghost gun, expect federal prosecution.” The president’s remarks underscore the growing crisis of ghost guns, which have surged in use over recent years.
In response, Biden announced a new rule from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) aimed at making it illegal for businesses to sell these kits without serial numbers or background checks. The rule also mandates that kits already in circulation be serialized, effectively turning them into traceable firearms.
Ghost guns have been a rising issue for U.S. law enforcement, with the ATF reporting 20,000 suspected ghost guns recovered in criminal investigations in 2021 — a tenfold increase from 2016. These firearms can be assembled quickly, sometimes within as little as 30 minutes, making them especially dangerous and accessible to individuals such as felons or domestic abusers.
Biden also introduced other executive measures, including regulating “split receiver” firearms and requiring gun sellers to keep sales records for longer periods, all aimed at closing loopholes in existing regulations. The president called these actions common-sense measures, rejecting arguments from the gun lobby that they were extreme.
California, where ghost guns are particularly prevalent, has seen several high-profile crimes involving these weapons, including school shootings and violent attacks. The growing use of ghost guns in such incidents has heightened concerns about their impact on public safety.
In his address, Biden urged for a federal response to the issue, citing the resistance from ghost gun manufacturers to regulation. As the battle over gun control continues, lawmakers such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are calling for faster action to address the ghost gun crisis before it leads to even more violence.
