by Frank Conklin, The Chicago Times
December 10, 2021
SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Illinois General Assembly is expected to vote on new legislation prohibiting so-called “ghost guns” in the state next year.
“If we don’t get ahead of this, there will be a significant increase in the already severe violence,” said Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart.
He claims that the firearms, which can be purchased as kits online or through 3D printer programs, are impossible to trace. They do not have a serial number, and no background check is required to purchase them.
The bill, introduced during the General Assembly’s fall veto session, would make it illegal to own, sell, or manufacture ghost guns. Online, the weapon kits can cost hundreds of dollars. Some of them contain no metal parts and thus cannot be detected by metal detectors.
According to Dart, they are very popular on the West Coast “We hadn’t seen one of these guns in over two years. We’re now finding them on a regular basis. On the coast, there are a couple of jurisdictions where they’re picking up the vast majority of the guns now.” Dart stated.
According to lawmakers, the new legislation will not diminish the right to own legal firearms.
The Chicago Times 