Senate Democrats proposed new legislation this week that would regulate “ghost guns,” their term for 3D printed guns that can’t be traced.
Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey and a handful of other Democrats proposed the Stopping the Traffic Overseas Proliferation of Ghost Guns Act. Their bill would prohibit the dissemination of information needed to print 3D guns.
The bill was prompted by the Trump administration’s recent announcement that it would transfer control over these 3D gun blueprints to the Commerce Department. Democrats say that move will make it much easier for people to gain access to these blueprints, and make their own untraceable guns at home.
“These changes defy common sense, undermine public safety and undercut our national security,” Menendez said Tuesday. “The only ones cheering these ill-advised moves are the NRA and U.S. gunmakers.”
The bill would also ensure the Department of State maintains control over the export of pistols and rifles, not the Commerce Department. But Democrats made it clear their newest worry is the ability of people anywhere to use 3D printing technology to make their own “ghost gun.”
“The Trump administration basically gave anyone – including criminals and murderers – a green light to 3D print and sell untraceable ‘ghost guns,'” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. “Thankfully, the courts have blocked this for now, but Congress needs to act to close this glaring loophole before anyone gets killed.”
