The “Ghost Gun” Allegedly Used in New York CEO Shooting: An Explainer

Law enforcement officials indicate that the black pistol reportedly found with Luigi Mangione, the individual apprehended in connection with a healthcare executive’s homicide, seemed to be a ghost gun—a type of firearm that can be constructed at home. Authorities mentioned the weapon could potentially have been produced using a 3D printer, though confirmation from ballistic experts is pending. The death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has reignited attention on this contentious weapon, which advocacy organizations have labeled “the fastest growing gun safety problem in the country.” Below is key information regarding these firearms. These firearms are termed “ghost guns” due to their potential for being untraceable. They lack serial numbers and can be put together at home, either entirely from components or using weapon parts kits. The firearm reportedly found in Mr. Mangione’s backpack appeared to be characteristic of such weapons. Its description in the arrest warrant was a “semi-automatic pistol with what appears to be a 3D-printed loaded receiver with a metal slide and silencer.” Law enforcement indicated it could fire 9mm rounds and matched the weapon type employed in Mr. Thompson’s fatal shooting in New York the preceding week. The Biden administration, advocating for the regulation of these firearms, has previously characterized ghost guns as “ridiculously easy” to assemble. Prior to August 2023, individuals with internet access were legally able to acquire numerous components required to construct a gun without undergoing a background check. Online guides demonstrate how to combine these parts into a fully operational firearm in under an hour. Specialists have identified ghost guns as the nation’s most rapidly expanding gun safety concern, noting their increased use in prominent shooting incidents. Data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) indicates that law enforcement reported discovering 20,000 suspected ghost guns during criminal investigations in 2022, representing a tenfold rise since 2016. Officials state that the absence of serial numbers on the frames of these weapons makes it nearly impossible to trace dealers who unlawfully sell them to minors or unlicensed individuals. A former government official expressed skepticism that Mr. Thompson’s death would alter public opinion. Juliette Kayyem, previously assistant secretary for policy at the Department of Homeland Security, informed BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that “Ghost guns are a new factor in a very complicated and violent country,” and that America was encountering significant difficulty in restricting this type of firearm. In 2022, over 48,000 individuals in the U.S. died from firearms in general, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The recent fatality has intensified examination of ghost guns, which the Biden administration has sought to regulate by proposing they be handled similarly to commercially sold firearms. Currently, manufacturers of ghost gun kits must affix serial numbers to their items and conduct background checks on buyers. In October, the U.S. Supreme Court indicated its readiness to affirm the legislation, which has faced opposition from gun rights organizations asserting that authorities exceeded the scope of existing laws. Should the ATF’s new regulation be upheld, such a decision would signify a shift for the current Supreme Court, given its conservative super-majority has generally expressed skepticism toward gun control measures. Regarding firearms in a wider context, US President-elect Donald Trump has established himself as a firm advocate for the Second Amendment, which guarantees the right to bear arms. Earlier this year, he informed the National Rifle Association (NRA) that he considered himself the organization’s strongest ally.