CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Ghost guns are a nightmare for law enforcement because they are untraceable, and often they are in the hands of dangerous criminals. Police in Camden say they expect to set a new record with the number of ghost guns taken off the street this year.
"Throughout the entire state, we recovered the most ghost guns here in Camden City in the last three years," said Chief Gabe Rodriguez of the Camden County Police Department.
Noting that only seven ghost guns were confiscated in Camden in 2019, he said he expects this year to break last year's record of 61.
"And that's why it's so important to highlight the issue we have here that's affecting our city," Rodriguez said.
The chief talked about two worrisome ghost gun cases. In one case, a man was arrested after he was allegedly spotted walking the street with an unusually large object in his waistband. Investigators say it turned out to be a ghost gun with a 50-round drum-style magazine locked and loaded.
"To do what? Not to protect himself but to cause harm to others," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez spoke about a second case, in which police allegedly found a black-market gun manufacturing operation at a recent bust above a barber shop in Camden. He said there were enough parts to build about 15 guns.
Police in Camden say they expect to set a new record with the number of ghost guns taken off the street this year.Mike Dougherty/KYW Newsradio
Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen and County Commissioner Lou Cappelli both want to see stricter gun laws at the federal level.
"We have to get better," Carstarphen said. "Nationally, background checks. We gotta continue imposing our will on this."
As they point out, most of the weapons recovered in Camden are from out of state. About 80% are from places like Pennsylvania and West Virginia that have less-strict gun laws.
"When you own a car, you have to register it, you have to insure it, and if you transfer that title, you have to let the state know that you're transferring that title," Cappelli said. "Why should it be any different with a gun?"
