WEST CHESTER — The Chester County District Attorney on Friday joined with his counterpart in Delaware County to applaud legislation that was adopted by the state House of Representatives banning the sale of so-called “ghost guns” and their individual parts and making it a crime to do so.
These guns are designed and packaged to be assembled through kits and other individual parts without serial numbers, sometimes available on the internet. They are easily assembled with common tools and sold without background checks.
In 2021, such a weapon was found to have been used in the accidental shooting death of an 18-year-old man in Coatesville. A close friend was later charged with the fatal shooting and possession of the weapon.
The two local district attorneys, both Democrats, urged the Republican-controlled state Senate to act quickly to pass this legislation.
In a press release, Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe stated that “Banning unserialized and untraceable ghost guns is common sense. Taking these dangerous weapons off the streets will protect Pennsylvania citizens and police officers from cheap guns that are the new favorite weapon of felons. I echo Gov. Shapiro’s call for the State Senate to pass this legislation quickly.”
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer — who is also a current candidate for state Attorney General said in his message that, “This critically important legislation provides law enforcement with a desperately needed tool in the fight against illegal guns. Ghost guns are, first and foremost, lethal weapons—they can kill and maim just as effectively as any other firearm.
“For too long, the kits to create these weapons have been allowed to circulate without even minimal oversight,” said Stollsteimer. “Sadly, members of law enforcement are confronted with the consequences of this loophole every day. We are enormously grateful to the leadership in the legislature for taking steps to bring Pennsylvania into line with other states in regulating these firearms.”
The legislation was passed by the House on March 27, with overwhelming support by Democrats — every one of the party’s representatives from the two counties voted in favor — and equal opposition by Republicans, including state Rep. Craig Williams, R-160th, of Chadds Ford, who is also running for state Attorney General. His district bridges Chester and Delaware counties.
The bill — sponsored by state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Malcolm Kenyatta, both Philadelphia Democrats — would make selling or purchasing a firearm or firearm parts without serial numbers a felony. Cephas said these untraceable firearms are a main driver of crime, especially in Philadelphia.
“Ghost guns are far too easily obtainable in Philadelphia, leading to day-to-day gun violence that has no end,” Cephas said. “For far too long, the Pennsylvania legislature has been singularly focused on what we do after crimes are committed with guns, rather than the unfettered access to these deadly, untraceable weapons.”
In a statement, CeaseFire PA Executive Director Adam Garber likened ghost guns to build-your-own furniture, but with deadly consequences.
“They are the Ikea of firearms. You buy a kit with instructions, get a few tools and soon you have a ghost gun that shoots, kills and destroys lives like any traditional firearm,” Garber said. “The only difference is the first you don’t need a background check for right now and isn’t serialized. We applaud Representative Cephas, the PA House leadership and the bipartisan group of legislators who voted to close this store. It’s time for the PA Senate to do the same.”
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jordan Harris, also of Philadelphia, said the bills should be commonsense solutions for members of all political parties.
“This is not a partisan issue. When a gun goes off in Philadelphia or any part of the Commonwealth, when the bullet leaves the chamber, it doesn’t ask for party registration,” Harris said.
Cephas added that Philadelphia and municipalities across the state are ready and willing to pass local laws to address the problem, but Pennsylvania’s preemption laws prevent them from doing so.
President Joe Biden took federal executive action in 2022, requiring background checks for someone purchasing a gun kit, as well as for the sellers of kits. However, gaps in Pennsylvania law allow the high demand for untraceable ghost guns and gun parts to be met without any oversight.
