BALTIMORE, MD—An initiative to limit the number of untraceable guns in circulation is getting support from a coalition of 20 attorneys general, including Maryland Anthony G. Brown (PDF).

The coalition has filed an amicus brief (PDF) in support of a federal government request for a review of a lower court decision that struck down a regulation concerning “ghost gun” kits.

A ghost gun is a firearm that is unregistered and untraceable. The weapons are built at home and are often sold without background checks. Because they are unregistered and untraceable, they are difficult for police to investigate.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) created a Final Rule to regulate ghost guns. Among other things, the rule requires buyers to pass a background check before they can purchase a ghost gun kit. The rule also requires that the kits have a unique serial number, which makes it possible for law enforcement to trace any homemade guns if they are used in a crime.

The ATF says that the ghost gun rule has been effective in reducing gun violence. The coalition of attorneys general supports that assessment and argues that allowing the decision to overturn the rule will allow more untraceable weapons to enter circulation, which will increase gun violence and make it more difficult for police to investigate crimes.

“Ghost guns pose the same threat to our communities as ordinary guns,” said Attorney General Brown. “I am committed to protecting Marylanders and closing dangerous loopholes surrounding these deadly devices.”

At least 15 states have their own laws that regulate ghost gun kits. Maryland also has its own law that prohibits the buying, selling, or transferring of an unfinished frame or receiver that isn’t marked with a serial number. The Maryland law also prohibits the possession of firearms without a serial number, if the firearm is required to have a serial number under federal law.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

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