TOTOWA, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A man and woman were charged after police seized over a dozen “ghost guns” kits that were illegally being driven from Pennsylvania into New Jersey.
The couple is facing multiple weapons charges and law enforcement leaders from both states demanded the federal government do more to limit the spread of the guns, which can be assembled at home are almost impossible to trace because by design they do not have serial numbers.
According to officials, 23-year-old William R. Pillus purchased 13 kits at a gun show in Allentown on September 11 then allegedly drove across the river to a Home Depot in Totowa, where he was stopped, officials said.
During a search of Pillus' vehicle and home authorities found the kits, along with ammunition and an “AR-15 style semiautomatic rifle” without a serial number, officials said.
Pillus was indicted Monday and now faces five gun charges, including second-degree unlawful possession of an assault firearm and third-degree purchasing firearm parts to manufacture untraceable firearms.
His girlfriend, 21-year-old Makenna Sweeney was also with him and faces a fourth-degree charge for possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine, police said.
“We may never know how these weapons might have been used,” acting New Jersey Attorney General Andrew Bruck said Friday during a press conference at State Police Headquarters in Ewing. But “this case highlights again the danger of ghost guns.”
More firearms seized in New Jersey have been traced to Pennsylvania where they are legal, than any other place, according to a report from state police.
“These have become the weapon of choice for criminals,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Friday.
This year, investigators have seized 440 ghost guns just in Philadelphia, Shapiro added.
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