The House passed legislation last week that would ban untraceable homemade firearms. By a 23-18 vote, legislators approved the measure to outlaw “ghost guns,” sending the bill to the Senate. Three Democrats joined the Republican caucus in opposing the proposal, which is supported by Gov. John Carney. “Ghost guns” are firearms with no serial numbers or other identifying markings, making them extremely difficult for law enforcement to trace and often undetectable by metal detectors. These firearms can be made at home using kits, sold by unlicensed dealers and purchased without a background check. House Bill 125 would make it illegal to possess, manufacture, transport or sell an untraceable firearm, frame or receiver, as well as instructions for 3-D-printing a “ghost gun.” It would also be against the law to own or transfer any firearm or receiver with the knowledge that the manufacturer’s serial number has been removed or altered.
- Why don’t we worry about properly enforcing the laws currently on the books? Criminals who use a firearm with obliterated serial numbers walk free in this state, but our legislators are upset because of “ghost guns.”— Jackie Veal Cates
- That would be too much like right. You should know by now that logic and common sense have nothing to do with legislators who create “reactive laws.” It’s all about the optics of looking like they care and are involved in a solution, never minding the fact that laws addressing the issue of crime and illegal guns already exist on the books. — Dennis Kirkwood
- Exactly! Up is down, and down is up, and wrong is right. The only ones who get punished and restricted are those who follow the rules. — Jackie Veal Cates
- How many ghost guns are confiscated in Delaware by people prohibited from possessing firearms? I’m being serious — does anyone know? Actual ghost guns — not filed-off serial number. — Heather Laskey
- Ghost guns exist? And homeless people don’t exist, according to the logic of the government, but now there’s the acknowledgement that ghost guns are a thing. But the existence of a homeless person is never acknowledged. I hope they enjoy chasing ghosts. — Brandon Scott Albro
- This won’t stop people from making firearms. In fact, I would hope that this encourages more people to make them. — Shawn McGrath
- Yeah, good luck with enforcing that. — Ronnie Ponde
