© 2024 New England Public Media

FCC public inspection files:
WGBYWFCRWNNZWNNUWNNZ-FMWNNI

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@nepm.org or call 413-781-2801.
PBS, NPR and local perspective for western Mass.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Springfield sees uptick in unlicensed 'ghost guns'

Springfield police have seen an uptick in "ghost guns" — firearms that do not contain a serial number and can be manually constructed from parts.

"Ghost guns" are typically purchased as a kit and have to be assembled. They can even be printed on a 3D-printer.

During a presentation at the Springfield Police Department Monday, Steve Kent, the city's deputy chief of police, said the department confiscated 26 ghost guns last year and have seized at least 10 this year.

State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, D-Springfield, said he is working on legislation to address this issue, but is getting a lot of pushback from people who feel like their second amendment rights would be threatened.

"As we address this issue, I want to make it clear that we are not taking anybody's Second Amendment rights away. What we are trying to do is to protect the public as well as our men and women in blue," Gonzalez said.

He is working with Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun violence prevention organization, to craft this legislation. He said it will take two more weeks to put the legislation together.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, who attended the conference, said he wants the police department to be proactive in preventing criminals from gaining access to these unlicensed guns.

Nirvani Williams covers socioeconomic disparities for New England Public Media, joining the news team in June 2021 through Report for America.
Related Content