Biden announced the first law regulating ghost guns, which describe guns made from kits that often don’t include serial numbers. Pre-legislation, the guns could be bought by almost anyone and sold without any sort of background check. The new legislation criminalizes the sale of ghost guns without the normal regulations required for purchasing a gun (e.g. an ID).
This announcement comes after ghost gun shootings have become more frequent. Because of their previously untrackable nature, the guns are often bought and used by teenagers. As recently as two weeks ago, one Bronx teen was shot and killed by a ghost gun.
The victim, Angellyh Yambo (16), was walking home from school when she was shot in the back by Jeremiah Ryan (17). Ryan reportedly opened fire after getting in an argument with two other teens, thought to be involved in organized crime activity. Yambo, along with two other teens, Isaiah Duncan (17) and an unidentified student, were bystanders to the incident, simply getting caught in the crossfire.
Duncan recalls the incident vividly. “I realized I was shot when I saw my own blood, like in the front of my pants,” he explained in a phone interview with the New York Post. “I was in a lot of pain. I thought if I ever got shot it would make me fall, but I was still standing — I was kind of confused.” Duncan has also reported experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, such as nightmares of the incident.
But in the wake of this incident, could Yambo disappear into a sea of teen victims of gun violence?
“She’s more than collateral damage,” says Barstow student Anita Mohan (‘23). “It’s so sad to see someone my age suffer so needlessly.”
This needless suffering could be increasing with the amount of teens who’ve handled a gun in the past year increasing slightly. Ghost gun shootings are not a new phenomena either, with large quantities of ghost guns being seized by police in major cities.
Jeremiah Ryan’s gun was a Polymer80 AR-15, coming from a kit costing $724. The gun was one of 131 ghost guns recovered by police in the past year.
This most recent federal law will effectively redefine the definition of a firearm. The new definition includes unfinished parts, and any aid specifically to build a gun. The parts must also be licensed and include serial numbers. This applies to all ghost guns, regardless of type of manufacturing. Sellers of ghost guns must also keep records of buyers. Previous to this change in regulation, sellers could get rid of records 20 years after the sale.
However, none of these new regulations can address why teens buy guns. Some parenting websites cite a need for power and control, while publicized cases, like the killing of Angyellah Yambo, cite gang activity as a reason.
“I think people like to feel older and more powerful,” says Mohan (‘23). “Like there’s no reason you would need a gun if you’re a teen. Guns are useless unless you use them, you know?”
Regardless of the reasons behind teen gun acquisition, the legislation should go into effect in less than 150 days. We can only wait and see if it will make a dent in gun violence.
