Senators Hoylman and Parker Unveil Comprehensive Legislation to Eliminate Dangerous 3D Weapons

Hoylman: “Thanks to the Trump administration, anyone in America or across the world--be it a teenager, felon, or terrorist--can evade a background check and manufacture a dangerous weapon with a click of a button.”

NEW YORK- Today, Senator Brad Hoylman (D/WF -Manhattan) unveiled comprehensive legislation in collaboration with Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence and Senator Kevin Parker to curb the manufacturing of “ghost guns,” a class of weapons that do not have serial numbers and therefore cannot be traced by law enforcement. Some ghost guns are assembled from parts readily for purchase online, while others are manufactured from technology like 3D printers. Those made from plastic parts often cannot be detected at security checkpoints in airports and other sensitive locations.

Because of recent advances in technology and the Trump administration’s efforts to weaken applicable rules and regulations, ghost guns are an increasing public safety threat across the United States. Last month, the State Department agreed to settle a multi-year legal battle with Defense Distributed and its founder, Texas resident Cody Wilson, who claimed that the government infringed on their right to free speech by prohibiting the posting of the programming code online to 3D-print a gun.  Beginning August 1,  Defense Distributed will now be allowed to post blueprints for downloadable guns online.  

 S9145 is the most comprehensive approach in the nation to every type of ghost gun - from those made from gun kits to  3D-printed guns. The legislation:

●       Makes it illegal to manufacture or assemble a ghost gun without a gunsmith license

●       Requires a gunsmith who manufactures or assembles a ghost gun to register the gun with law enforcement and obtain a permanently affixed serial number that satisfies federal standards

●       Requires each major component of a legally produced ghost gun to be detectable by a metal detector

●       Makes it illegal to possess or transfer a ghost gun without a serial number.

Senator Brad Hoylman said: "Thanks to the Trump administration, anyone in America or across the world--be it a teenager, felon, or terrorist--can evade a background check and manufacture a dangerous weapon with a click of a button. This is an existential threat to gun control as we know it. It is unconscionable to put the lives of New Yorkers and Americans at risk just to satisfy the demands of the gun lobby. It’s now up to New York to close this deadly loophole that will allow dangerous individuals to access a gun on demand, and I’m proud to take those initial steps today."

Senator Kevin Parker said: "As we work diligently to combat gun violence, I am proud to sponsor legislation with Senator Holyman to create regulations around the manufacturing of ghost guns.  This will send a clear message to both sellers and buyers that the irresponsible manufacturing and use of a firearm in NYS will not be tolerated."

David Pucino of Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence said: “Ghost guns” are untraceable firearms that are built by unlicensed individuals, rather than licensed manufacturers. They can be assembled or manufactured in the home using unregulated parts or a 3D-printing machine and a file downloaded from the internet. People who can’t pass a background check shouldn’t be able to make guns with 3D printers or parts they ordered online. Ghost guns don’t have serial numbers and can’t be traced by law enforcement. And downloadable guns made with plastic can’t be detected by traditional security systems, which means they could be smuggled onto an airplane or into other high-security environments. 

Ghost guns have been used in multiple recent shootings and are increasingly made and sold by gun traffickers. Public safety is at stake, and now is the time to act. We have been proud to work with Senators Hoylman and Parker as they demonstrate leadership by sponsoring comprehensive legislation that serves as a model for the nation. We urge the New York legislature to pass this important bill."

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