What are "ghost guns"? Murder of Insurance-CEO highlights gun tracking problems

Since the suspected shooter in the killing of a US health insurance executive has been comprehended, authorities discovered that the handgun and silencer used for the crime were largely made up from 3D-printed parts. 

This discovery has sparked concerns throughout the U.S. and other countries about the use of so-called "ghost guns", as Bloomberg reported. 

What are ghost guns?

These unregistered firearms, which already pose a rising problem in the U.S., are typically assembled from kits or 3D-printed using instructions purchased online or at gun shows. Sold in unfinished pieces, they can be assembled in as little as 20 minutes and function like regular firearms.

Further complicating gun regulation policies 

Lacking serial numbers, ghost guns are virtually untraceable, complicating efforts to track their origins. The problem of ghost guns has grown significantly in recent years. Between 2016 and 2022, U.S. law enforcement recovered over 70,000 suspected privately made firearms, with most cases occurring in 2021 and 2022, according to the Justice Department. Data from gun regulation avocacy groups indicates that around 2,500 ghost guns were linked to crimes between 2010 and 2020.

Within 24 hours of police releasing a photo of the killer's alleged weapon, American media reports showed that the online 3D-printed firearms community identified it as a Chairmanwon V1, which is a modified version of the FMDA 19.2—a Glock-style design partially made with 3D printing. Released in 2021, the FMDA 19.2 is considered an older model by 3D-printed gun standards, according to a gunsmith interviewed.

According to expert statements to the publication, the FMDA 19.2, despite being an older design, is durable enough to fire hundreds or even thousands of rounds without its plastic parts failing. Its alleged use in the repeated shooting of Brian Thompson on a Manhattan street marks the most high-profile crime involving a ghost gun or 3D-printed firearm, showcasing how advanced such weapons have become compared to early prototypes.

This surge has drawn attention to the dangers of ghost guns, which bypass standard regulations and fuel criminal activity. The issue is now before the U.S. Supreme Court, highlighting the need for legal clarity and regulation to address their increasing prevalence in crimes.

By Nazrin Sadigova