GHOST GUNS NOT AS POPULAR WITH CARTELS ANYMORE

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
We'll be looking at ghost guns and cartels. We're going
to be a little light for the next four weeks,
so hopefully we'll get at least an episode a week,
but just expected to might be a little lighter, and
then we'll go back to full force starting in August
late August, but we're still going to try to keep
at least one episode a week and then try to
pick up a little bit more steam in August. Ghost

(00:22):
guns are hard to trace. One of the reasons. They
have no serial numbers right, and one of the things
you can find out about them is they're privately made
firearms and they are elusive, very elusive. One thing that
immediately the appearance that there's no serial numbers I mentioned
or manufacturer on the lower part of the gun, this
type of weapon became more available and they were really

(00:44):
sought after a lot by the drug cartels. They are
difficult to trace, is one of the reasons. Even though
what they call pmfs aren't traditionally traceable, they are trackable
if they are using shootings. Gun leaves a unique print
on the shell casing it's fire, kind of like a fingerprint.
Even these ghost guns. That means that you can still

(01:06):
link crimes committed with the same weapon. The ATF will
use a system called e rates to compare firearms data
across multiple jurisdictions, helping agencies close cases faster. But they
have are firearms examiners, and we're able to examine bullets
and carts whiche casings to determine if they're expelled from
the same firearm again the fingerprint. That process is easier
when a gun is commercially manufactured, but in recent years

(01:28):
the cartel demand for ghostguns to slow down. The reliability
of those guns is still not as good as your
regular manufacturer firearm, and these days you can buy kits
with everything you need, unfortunately, to build a customize but
largely untraceable firearm. Most of the people that make these
privately made firearms are just making them for personal use.

(01:48):
The problem is is when people leave those guns in
their cars. San Antonio police, for instance, say that more
than a thousand guns have been stolen from vehicles just
this last six months alone. Special Agent in charge for
the ATF Houston Division says, of those firearms but no
serial numbers or manufacturing end up in the wrong hands,
you got a big problem. The investigation part becomes extremely difficult.

(02:12):
There are things you can do to make yourself less
of a target. Authorities urge you to leave all weapons
at home instead of your car. You can also park
in safe well lit areas. Leaving a weapons at home
instead of your car or globe compartment. Gun safes and
parking safe well lided areas are important. It doesn't matter
if it's a commercially made firearm or privately made. We
want gun owners to be responsible. The regulation of ghost

(02:34):
guns could go before the Supreme Court this year, so
it's going to be interesting. They agree to weigh in
on a Biden administration appeal over changes to how manufacturers
and sellers of these kids do their business. It took
effect in twenty twenty two and change the definition of
a firearm under federal law to include unfinished parts like

(02:54):
the frame of a handgun the receiver. The APA reported
that those parts must be licensed includes serial numbers. Manufacturers
must also run background checks before a sale. The requirement
applies regardless of how the firearm is made, meaning it
includes ghost guns made from individual parts or kits by
three D printers. The rule does not prohibit people from
buying a kit or any type of firearm and unfortunately

(03:18):
there are a lot of malevolent in