Harrisburg, Pa. — As the Pennsylvania House reconvenes this week, lawmakers will focus on regulating 3D-printed ghost guns.
These untraceable firearms, like the one allegedly used in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, complicate criminal investigations.
For the third time, state Rep. Melissa Shusterman said she plans to introduce legislation aimed at classifying 3D-printed firearms as standard firearms under Pennsylvania's laws and regulations, and require 3D printer owners to be licensed as manufacturers.
The Chester Democrat said she's already circulated a memo to colleagues, and said she's hopeful action will be taken for the bill.
"We are waiting to get any additional feedback," said Shusterman. "With every two years, my legislation needs to be tweaked and updated, to hone in on exactly how to create a piece of legislation that'd work for our manufacturers, work for our law enforcement, works within the law."
Pennsylvania State Police data reveal a doubling of ghost gun seizures by law enforcement in 2023 compared to 2022.
Shusterman added that a bill to ban ghost-gun kits passed the House last session with bipartisan support, but stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Adam Garber, executive director of CeaseFirePA, said his group helped craft the bipartisan ghost-gun bill passed by the Pennsylvania House.
He warned that these firearms, easily assembled from online parts without background checks, have been seen in the state in the last few years.
"A lot of the violence we saw rising in cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg and York, was being driven by ghost guns," said Garber. "Police were recovering them at a higher rate - again, because they escape our gun safety laws."
Garber added that the Biden administration announced a new federal rule to require 3D-printed guns be treated like any other gun and require background checks.
He added that there is now concern that a future administration could reverse this, making them a preferred weapon for violent crime once again.
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