A City Council committee voted Tuesday to request a report on creating a local law to criminalize making or possessing parts for so-called “ghost guns,” or weapons that are made in a way that is not traceable for law enforcement.
The full City Council next week will also consider whether to support a proposed state law that would criminalize the production of ghost gun parts and would require all existing weapons that lack serial numbers to be registered with the state by 2023. It would also prohibit the sale or transfer of any weapon without a serial number or state marking.
The City Council’s Public Safety Committee, meanwhile, has been briefed on the problem these guns present to law enforcement. Ghost guns are often made with 3D printers and can easily be purchased online without standard background checks required with other firearm purchases.
Long Beach Police Department officials said the number of ghost guns recovered by officers in 2021—a total of 185—had more than doubled from the previous year. They now account for nearly 20% of all guns recovered by officers, according to the department.
Councilmember Suzie Price, who is vice-chair of the committee, pointed to the recent shooting in Sacramento that killed six people and injured 12, and rising gun violence in the city, in asking for the council’s support Tuesday night.
“I think the urgency of this item is clear,” Price said.
Assembly Bill 1621 was introduced by Assemblymember Mike Gipson, who represents parts of North Long Beach and other cities including Carson, Compton, Wilmington and Watts.
One of Gipson’s previously proposed bills that was signed into law in 2019 requires people buying unfinished firearm frames and receivers to undergo a background check. Gipson called AB-1621an opportunity to get rid of ghost guns and assault weapons in the state for good.
More shooting deaths, increase in ghosts guns have LBPD focused on untraceable firearms
Long Beach could look to ban manufacturing, possession of ‘ghost gun’ parts