'Ghost Gun' Ban Green-Lighted By Senate Judiciary Committee

PROVIDENCE, RI — The full Rhode Island Senate is once again set to take up the issue of "ghost guns," or sometimes 3D-printed weapons that lack a serial number. On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would ban such weapons in the state by a vote of seven to zero. Two committee members were not in attendance for the vote.

The issue is not a new one in the Rhode Island State House. During last year's session, the full Senate approved a bill that would outlaw untraceable guns, which include 3D-printed weapons and guns built without serial numbers.

"We know technology is forever changing, and legislation must keep up with these changes to keep our public safe," said Senator Cynthia Coyne, the bill's sponsor.

At the hearing, State Police Colonel James Manni explained that "untraceable firearm" and "ghost gun" are umbrella terms. While all 3D-printed guns are "ghosts" and untraceable, not all untraceable guns are necessarily 3D-printed. Guns that were bought piecemeal or partially assembled and put together without a serial number are also included in the distinction. So-called "80-20" guns, which are purchased 80 percent completed, are a common example, Manni said. Building these weapons allows people to sidestep waiting periods and background checks that are required for registered gun purchases.

"I strongly, respectfully ask you to pass this," Manni said.

If the bill is signed into law, anyone caught manufacturing, selling, offering to sell, transferring or owning a ghost gun would be subject to a $10,000 fine or up to 10 years in prison.

The debate over ghost guns was recently reignited in Rhode Island after a Pawtucket woman was killed on Jan. 1. While the state's crime lab was unable to determine whether the gun used in the shooting was 3D-printed, the gun lacked a serial number and would have been included under the proposed ban, had it been passed during last year's session.

Providence Police Colonel Hugh Clements, the executive director of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and members of the public all stepped forward to voice their support of the legislation as well. Clements, in particular, voiced his concern about the ability to easily "destroy the evidence" if a ghost gun is used to commit a crime.

Gorbea called the bill a "common sense measure" and said it is the state government's duty to take steps to ensure public safety.

"I understand that [this bill] is not the solution to all the gun problems in our state, but I do believe it is an important step in the right direction," she said.

Ghost guns garnered national attention in 2018, when when the federal government settled a lawsuit with a Texas nonprofit organization who posted free blueprints online showing how to create plastic guns using a 3D printer. While the State Department claimed that Defense Distribution violated the Arms Export Control Act, the government later settled, allowing the blueprints to be released.