In Support of Ghost Gun Laws and Regulations

Adopted at the in 2022

  • WHEREAS, mayors across the country understand that untraceable, unserialized, and homemade firearms commonly known as "ghost guns" adversely impact the safety and security of residents and the role that these firearms have in the growing gun violence epidemic; and

    WHEREAS, firearm serial number tracing is an essential investigative tool provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that is used by law enforcement to identify and prosecute thousands of criminals; and

    WHEREAS, a recent report by Everytown for Gun Safety revealed that 58 percent of adults have experienced or know someone who has experienced gun violence, and nearly three million children in America witness gun violence every year; and

    WHEREAS, according to ATF, nearly 24,000 suspected ghost guns were recovered from crime scenes and reported to the agency between 2016 and 2020; and

    WHEREAS, safety advocates acknowledge that ghost guns are quickly becoming the weapon of choice for violent criminals, felons, minors, gun traffickers, dangerous extremists, and other individuals prohibited from purchasing firearms due to their low cost and lack of background check requirement; and

    WHEREAS, law enforcement agencies are recovering ghost guns at alarming rates, making them one of the most concerning public safety problems for mayors today; and

    WHEREAS, federal lawmakers in the 117th Congress have demonstrated their willingness to introduce various pieces of legislation with the purpose of banning ghost guns to counter this trend and better ensure public safety; and

    WHEREAS, The United States Conference of Mayors sent a letter to President Biden last June with recommended federal regulatory and enforcement actions to further prevent and reduce gun violence in our cities, including steps to require universal background checks, investigate federally licensed gun dealers, hold social media platforms accountable, and allocate more resources for the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBN); and

    WHEREAS, the Biden-Harris Administration recently announced a series of recent executive actions to "crack down" on ghost guns by holding firearm commercial manufacturers accountable, expanding the definition of "frame and receiver" to include "buy build shoot kits," and serializing recovered ghost guns,

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors commends the Biden-Harris Administration for taking these steps to prevent the proliferation of ghost guns and to better protect the communities we serve; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges federal lawmakers to prioritize passing and enacting meaningful, common-sense gun control legislation that strengthens ghost gun regulation and holds the firearm industry accountable; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that mayors pledge to continue collaborations with law enforcement, intergovernmental partners, and organizations to enhance crime prevention and gun reform strategies and policies.
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