Shocking Ties: Ghost Guns Linked to CEO Shooting Raise Alarming Questions
The arrest of a suspect in the CEO shooting reveals a connection to a homemade weapon called a ghost gun, raising serious safety concerns.
Altoona, Pennsylvania, Ghost Guns, Brian Thompson, Luigi Mangione, Gun Control
Altoona: A man named Luigi Mangione, just 26 years old, was arrested in connection with the tragic shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. It turns out he had a so-called “ghost gun” on him when he was taken into custody.
This ghost gun is a type of homemade firearm that can be put together from parts bought online. The police say it was capable of firing 9 mm rounds and even had a suppressor. Pretty wild, right?
Authorities believe this weapon might be similar to the one used in the murder in Manhattan. It’s alarming to think that these guns can be made using 3D printers, making them even harder to trace.
Ghost guns have been around since the 1990s, but they’ve really taken off lately, especially among criminals. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reported a huge spike in ghost guns recovered in criminal cases, from just over 1,700 in 2016 to nearly 20,000 in 2021.
With online videos showing how to assemble these guns racking up millions of views, it’s no wonder they’re becoming more popular. The Justice Department has said that tracing these unmarked firearms is nearly impossible, with only a tiny fraction ever linked back to their buyers.
In response to this growing issue, President Biden announced new rules in 2022 to regulate ghost guns. He wants to make sure that anyone selling gun kits includes serial numbers and that buyers go through background checks, just like with regular firearms.
However, there’s been pushback from gun rights groups, and some courts have ruled against the Biden administration’s efforts. Meanwhile, gun safety advocates are pushing Congress to step in and close the loopholes that allow these weapons to slip through the cracks.
It’s a complicated situation, and with the rise of 3D-printed guns, there’s a lot more to consider. States are starting to take action, but the federal government still has a long way to go.