#ghost-guns

#ghost-guns

"Untraceable ghost guns put New Yorkers in danger and enable those who are barred from owning guns to obtain deadly weapons," said AG James. "Lawrence Destefano and his company Indie Guns are accused of flooding New York with illegal firearms, and we are determined to bring him to justice. I will not tolerate illegal and dangerous weapons in our communities, and I thank our partners in law enforcement for their work to shut down this ghost gun supplier."

In the United States, the right to bear arms is an important aspect of law and culture, yet many people are surprised by just how powerful certain legal-to-own weapons can be. Beyond standard guns, a range of weapons often associated with military or high-risk use are lawful under federal or state regulations, provided specific conditions are met. The legality of these highly dangerous weapons is due to a mix of constitutional rights, public safety concerns, and decades of changing legislation.

Affirming a ruling by U.S. District Judge Lorna Schofield of the Southern District of New York, a unanimous Second Circuit panel found that insurers Granite State Insurance Co. and National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh do not have to defend Texas-based gun manufacturer Primary Arms lawsuits filed by the governments of New York State and the cities of Buffalo and Rochester. The state and local governments allege that Primary Arms launched a marketing and sales scheme that helped launch a surge of gun violence in New York, according to court papers.

Brett Maxwell, a 51-year-old apartment manager, was arrested on suspicion of possessing firearms, assault weapons and narcotics for sale after the Santa Clara County Gun Violence Task Force located 19 firearms and "several pounds" of methamphetamine and heroin in his apartment and storage unit, according to a news release from the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office. The cache of weapons also included explosives and ghost guns - weapons manufactured without serial numbers - and three of the firearms were assault weapons, prosecutors added.

In just three years, the ability for any New Yorker to produce a killing device in their own home has grown exponentially. In 2022, police said the lower receiver of a handgun could be made using most 3D-printers, leaving would-be gun manufacturers only to have to order the additional parts. Now, in 2025, about 96% of a firearm can be made in any home, leaving only screws and springs to be added to make it operable.