What is a ‘ghost’ gun?
Most guns sold in the United States are either produced by licensed manufacturers or imported from abroad. They are distributed by authorized dealers and must carry a serial number, usually engraved.
Thanks to this number, the security forces can trace any weapon linked to a crime.
Kit guns, also known as “80% guns,” are sold partially assembled, with the rest of the assembly done by the buyer.
They lack a serial number and, since they are not considered weapons in the entire sales process, they do not require a permit to carry weapons or the buyer to submit to a criminal and psychiatric background check.
Because they are easily accessible online, they quickly became an ideal solution for people who are otherwise barred from purchasing a gun based on criminal history or age.
Is it hard to get a ‘ghost gun’?
An investigation by the Everytown for Gun Safety association, which advocates for better control of weapons, concluded that a kit to make an AR-15 assault rifle, one of the most popular weapons in the United States and frequently used in shootings, can cost less than 400 dollars (367 euros).
The study indicates that these weapons are promoted online by claiming that they are very easy to assemble. “The assembly (…) doesn’t take long. You can try it out at the range after an hour or two.”
And tutorials that have hundreds of thousands of views are easy to find on YouTube.