John —

Yesterday, I joined gun violence survivors, gun safety advocates, and fellow members of Congress for a press conference where President Biden announced that the Department of Justice will be banning the sale of untraceable “ghost guns” in America. 

I want to thank the Biden administration for taking decisive action here – it underscores the urgency with which we must continue to address rising gun violence in our country. 

There is no doubt in my mind that this new federal rule will save countless lives. Right now, untraceable ghost guns – build-your-own kits and parts with no serial numbers, sold online and at gun shows with no background check – are fast becoming the weapon of choice for violent criminals. 

And it’s not just seasoned criminals buying these weapons to evade law enforcement – literally anyone with an internet connection can order a ghost gun shipped directly to their home. One recent high-profile case a few months ago in metro Atlanta really shocked me: A 13-year-old boy was charged with trafficking ghost guns after he tragically shot and killed his 14-year-old older sister by accident in a gun deal gone wrong.

As the County Sheriff remarked to the press, “A 13-year-old weighing about 80 pounds was able to make a [ghost gun] from start to finish.” 

Simply put, this level of access to deadly weapons is unacceptable in America. Even with our patchwork gun safety laws that need so much improvement, there is absolutely no way a 13-year-old should be able to buy a gun on the internet and get it shipped directly to their home.  

And with the rate of gun violence on the rise over the last few years, far too many families across the country continue to feel the pain and heartbreak that comes with losing a loved one to gun violence. 

Any common-sense step we can take as a government – like yesterday’s rule banning ghost guns – is much-needed action that will save countless American lives. 

Onwards,

-- Lucy