WASHINGTON (AP) — In a shocking turn of events, the assassination of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, appears to have been carried out with a ghost gun. This homemade firearm is virtually untraceable, police announced Monday.
Thompson was gunned down in a high-profile attack last week, and investigators suspect the weapon used in the crime was a 9 mm handgun assembled using 3D-printed components. The suspect, Luigi Mangione, was apprehended shortly after the incident. Police confirmed he was found to possess a sound suppressor or silencer, further complicating the investigation.
The case has reignited debates about ghost guns, which have increasingly surfaced at crime scenes across the United States, raising alarms among law enforcement and policymakers.
What Are Ghost Guns?
Ghost guns are assembled from kits or 3D-printed parts and lack serial numbers, making them nearly impossible to trace. Typically, commercially manufactured firearms are imprinted with serial numbers that allow authorities to track the weapon’s origins. In contrast, ghost guns bypass this critical tracking mechanism.
At the heart of a ghost gun is the lower receiver, a crucial component that houses the operating parts of the firearm. These receivers can be purchased as part of do-it-yourself kits or made using 3D printers. Once assembled, these weapons are fully functional, ranging from semiautomatic pistols to rifles.
Legal Status of Ghost Guns
In the United States, building a firearm for personal use is legal. However, until recent years, ghost gun kits were sold online without age verification or background checks, making them accessible to virtually anyone.
The Biden administration took significant steps in 2022 to tighten regulations, requiring background checks and age verification for ghost gun purchases. These measures have somewhat reduced the prevalence of ghost guns in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. However, gun rights groups have challenged the new regulations in court, arguing they infringe on constitutional rights.
The Supreme Court heard arguments on the matter in October and is expected to issue a ruling soon. Legal experts predict the court will likely uphold the regulations.
Ghost Guns in Crimes
The rise of ghost guns as tools of violence has been alarming. Between 2018 and 2021, the number of ghost guns recovered by law enforcement increased fivefold, from 4,000 to nearly 20,000, according to Justice Department data. While traditional firearms remain more common in crimes, the presence of ghost guns represents a growing concern.
The use of ghost guns in high-profile crimes dates back over a decade. In 2013, John Zawahri assembled an AR-15-style weapon and killed six people at Santa Monica College after failing a background check.
Other incidents followed, including a 2017 shooting in Northern California where a gunman built his firearm to bypass a court order prohibiting him from owning weapons. In 2019, a teenage shooter used a ghost gun in a tragic attack at a school near Los Angeles, killing two classmates and injuring three others.
More recently, a 2023 mass shooting in Philadelphia left five people dead, with the shooter using an AR-15-style ghost gun. Just last week, a similar weapon critically wounded two kindergartners in Northern California.
The Case of Brian Thompson
Thompson’s murder underscores the deadly potential of ghost guns. As CEO of UnitedHealthcare, he was a prominent figure in the corporate world. His killing has drawn national attention and prompted renewed calls for stricter measures to combat the proliferation of untraceable firearms.
The suspect, Luigi Mangione, is a known associate of underground firearm networks, according to authorities. He reportedly built the weapon used in the attack using online blueprints and a 3D printer, showcasing the ease with which such firearms can be constructed.
Calls for Regulation
Advocates for stricter gun laws argue that ghost guns represent a dangerous loophole in firearm regulation. Their untraceable nature and the ease of assembly make them particularly appealing to criminals, they say.
“This case is a wake-up call,” said one police official. “We need stronger measures to ensure these weapons don’t end up in the wrong hands.”
Critics, however, argue that regulating ghost guns infringes on individual rights and is unlikely to deter crime. Gun rights groups maintain that the focus should be on enforcing existing laws rather than introducing new ones.
The Road Ahead
As the nation mourns the loss of Brian Thompson, the debate over ghost guns intensifies. Lawmakers, advocacy groups, and citizens alike are grappling with the implications of these untraceable firearms.
The Supreme Court’s upcoming ruling will likely shape the future of ghost gun regulation in the U.S., potentially setting new precedents for balancing public safety and individual freedoms.
For now, the tragic events surrounding Thompson’s death serve as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by modern firearm technology and the pressing need for solutions.