Mayor Urges ATF To Regulate Homemade, Untraceable 'Ghost Guns'

NEW HAVEN, CT —New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker is urging the federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agency to regulate so-called ghost guns. The ATF is taking public comment on the measure that would regulate the untraceable DIY firearms after a proposed rule signed by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.

On May 7, 2021, Garland signed ATF proposed rule 2021R-05, Definition of “Frame or Receiver” and Identification of Firearms. The goal of the proposed rule is to ensure the proper marking, record-keeping, and traceability of all firearms manufactured, imported, acquired, and disposed by federal firearms licensees.

Elicker pointed out in a news release that according to the Brady Campaign, ghost guns are un-serialized and untraceable firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home. They are often sold through "ghost gun kits," which include all of the parts and often the equipment necessary to build these weapons at home. These kits are widely available and can be purchased by anyone, including prohibited purchasers, domestic abusers, and gun traffickers — without a background check. As these kits and guns are sold at gun shows and online every day throughout the country, they undermine all of the life-saving policies that state legislatures have fought so hard to put in place.

In 2020 the New Haven Police Department seized two ghost guns, and in 2021 they’ve already seized four.

Elicker submitted a letter for public comment to the ATF, which can be read here.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elic... by Ellyn Santiago

“Gun violence has a profoundly negative impact on communities – not only New Haven – but communities across the country," Elicker said in a news release." And, as a Mayor I see first hand that the harm ripples through our city. It’s not just the victim and perpetrator hurt by gun violence, but friends, neighbors, and parents."

New Haven Police Chief Renee Dominguez said the ghost gun "nationwide trend" is worrisome.

"Although we have only seized a small number by the New Haven Police Department over the past two years, we know this is an ever-growing and concerning issue which we will continue to address.”

Elicker, who said he works "hand-in-hand" with police daily, said ghost guns "make their job of protecting our community harder and endanger the health and safety of every member of our community."

"I stand in solidarity with the Brady Campaign, Everytown, Moms Demand Action, in calling for the AFT to adopt Attorney General Garland’s proposed rule regulating ghost guns,” he said.