Calls for Ghost Gun Ban Grow After CEO's Murder with Untraceable Firearm

Advocates urge Maine lawmakers to regulate ghost guns, citing their role in rising crime and a recent high-profile killing.

Gun safety advocates in Maine are pushing for a ban on ghost guns after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed with one in Manhattan on December 4.
Ghost guns are untraceable firearms often made from kits or 3D printers, lacking serial numbers and bypassing traditional gun control measures.
The U.S. Department of Justice reported a 1,000% increase in ghost gun usage in crimes since 2017, with over 19,000 traced in 2023 alone.
Maine lawmakers have previously rejected ghost gun regulations, but recent shifts in gun policy following a 2023 mass shooting in Lewiston could influence future legislation.
Efforts to regulate ghost guns face opposition from gun rights groups, who argue such measures infringe on lawful gun ownership and fail to deter criminals.