Ranking Member Thompson Reintroduces Ghost Gun Legislation
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced the introduction of legislation to enhance the Department of Homeland Security’s response to the threat posed by ghost guns. Ghost guns are unregistered, untraceable weapons—making them highly desirable to terrorists and other bad actors. Since 2016, there has been a more than 10-fold increase in ghost gun seizures in the U.S.
The Bolstering Security Against Ghost Guns Act (H.R. 2698) directs DHS to assess how ghost guns impact homeland security, develop a strategy to address the threat, and assist its Federal, State, and local partners. It would also boost counter-ghost gun operations across key DHS components, including the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, the Secret Service, the Transportation Security Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations at Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“There should be bipartisan agreement that untraceable, unregistered ghost guns are a danger to communities across the country,” said Congressman Thompson. “With ghost guns becoming more available, local law enforcement needs assistance from the Federal government to counter this threat. We cannot allow terrorists and other bad actors to exploit the prevalence of these weapons to harm our communities. I hope my colleagues join me in supporting this commonsense legislation.”
This legislation is co-sponsored by Rep. Mike Thompson, Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, as well as Reps. Eric Swalwell, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Lou Correa, Shri Thanedar, Seth Magaziner, Dan Goldman, Delia Ramirez, Tim Kennedy, LaMonica McIver, Nellie Pou, Troy Carter, Robert Garcia, Julie Johnson, and Resident Commissioner Pablo Hernández.
It has been endorsed by Brady: United Against Gun Violence, GIFFORDS, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (see endorsement letter).
“Created to undermine all existing gun laws, ghost guns present a serious security and public safety threat. When unregulated and untraceable, ghost guns become an ideal weapon for individuals engaged in illegal activity. To combat this danger, it is crucial that the Department of Homeland Security engage in a comprehensive, coordinated approach to counter the threat of ghost guns across the country. Brady is thankful to Representative Thompson for reintroducing the Bolstering Security Against Ghost Guns Act and for his enduring commitment to ending gun violence.” – Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy, Brady: United Against Gun Violence
"Ghost guns present an escalating threat to public safety and national security. Rep. Thompson's bill takes decisive action to confront this danger by enhancing intelligence-sharing, strengthening enforcement measures, and ensuring a unified federal response that will bolster law enforcement efforts to keep these deadly weapons out of dangerous hands. We applaud Rep. Thompson for taking this vital step toward protecting our communities and urge Congress to act swiftly to safeguard the American people from ghost guns." – Vanessa Gonzalez, Vice President of Government & Political Affairs at GIFFORDS
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