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Ghost Guns in New York:

The DIY Firearms Challenge

In the quiet stretches of rural New York, a new challenge is emerging in the form of “ghost guns”, homemade firearms assembled from kits or 3D-printed parts that lack serial numbers, making them untraceable. These DIY weapons have gained popularity among individuals seeking to bypass traditional gun control measures, raising significant concerns for law enforcement and policymakers. It is important to remember that the tragic shooting of United Healthcare executive Brian Thompson was done by a 3-D printed ghost gun.

In recent years, New York State has witnessed a notable increase in the recovery of ghost guns. In 2023, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) reported recovering 394 ghost guns. This figure rose to 438 in 2024, and as of the first two months of 2025, 40 ghost guns have already been seized. Focusing on specific areas within the state, Rochester police recovered 86 ghost guns in 2023. In Queens, law enforcement efforts led to the recovery of 55 ghost guns in a single operation in 2024.