Boston, MA — Concerns about the proliferation of untraceable “ghost guns” have prompted lawmakers in Massachusetts to take action, as the state grapples with the growing presence of these easily acquired and hard-to-trace firearms. In a joint hearing on Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee discussed a comprehensive gun reform bill designed, in part, to establish legal regulations surrounding such weapons.
The recent incident in Mattapan, where a 16-year-old was arrested with a “Polymer 80” ghost gun, served as a grim reminder of the increasing prevalence of these weapons in the streets of Boston, Springfield, and other communities. The term “ghost gun” refers to firearms that can be readily assembled and are often available for purchase via mail-order, evading traditional background checks.
Between 2019 and 2021, Boston police recorded a staggering 280 percent increase in the number of ghost guns they recovered. The ease with which these firearms can be acquired, often with no serial numbers, poses a significant challenge for law enforcement. This situation has been a growing concern for public safety advocates, including Attorney General Andrea Campbell, who have been urging for stricter regulations.
The proposed gun reform legislation aims to address this issue by implementing legal measures to control the manufacturing and distribution of ghost guns. The bill intends to make it harder for unregulated, unserialized firearms to end up in the wrong hands. By enacting safeguards, Massachusetts aims to curb the proliferation of these dangerous weapons, bolster public safety, and enhance the ability of law enforcement to trace and investigate firearm-related crimes more effectively.
As discussions regarding the gun reform bill continue, lawmakers are considering various provisions to address this issue, including restrictions on ghost gun sales and the establishment of mandatory serial numbers on all firearms. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to strike a balance between protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens and addressing the escalating threat posed by untraceable firearms on the streets.
