PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Four Philadelphia men are under arrest and facing multiple charges in cases connected to selling "ghost guns," a problem law enforcement said is increasing throughout the city. Now, officials are working to close a loophole that allowed those guns to make their way to the streets.
"Ghost guns are unserialized DIY firearms that can be built easily at home using a kit and just a few parts," explained Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
The ten ghost guns law enforcement seized - in two different raids in Philadelphia last week - all came from a Berks County gun show, according to Shapiro.
He said they belive 19-year-old Najaye Davis was assembling and selling these guns he got at the Morgantown gun show late last month. Shapiro added Davis was already prohibited from purchasing or possessing a handgun on the streets of Philadelphia.
"Because they are not sold as fully assembled firearms, the buyer does not have to go through the usual background check," he said.
In another incident, Shapiro said three men were arrested at a "build house," as they put together ghost guns, also from the Morgantown gun show. He said two of those men were violent felons who should not have guns.
"These cases show how ghost guns make it easier for violent offenders to get their hands on weapons that they aren't allowed to have," he said.
According to Shapiro, these untraceable guns are becoming more and more popular with criminals across Philadelphia, and are helping to fuel gun violence throughout the city. Philadelphia officials have spoken out in agreement with him.
Mayor Jim Kenney said police have taken nearly a thousand illegal guns off the street since January. However, they need help making sure ghost guns do not end up in the wrong hands.
"As you all know, the gun violence epidemic is tearing our communities apart, but there is no greater cause than the inaurguable fact that there are too many damn guns on our streets," said Kenney.
District Attorney Larry Krasner said these busts shine a light on a much bigger problem. "Someone with $30-35,000 cash buys 120 kits, 120 sets, puts them in their car and heads back to Philly," he said.
Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said there is a direct correlation between ghost guns and rising crime in the city.
"The increase in the manufacture and availability of these so-called ghost guns has only exacerbated the problem that we're all seeing," she said.
Shapiro said his office is currently in court fighting against the gun lobby in an effort to make background checks mandatory for ghost gun purchases.