Ghost guns were at the center of a debate in the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee this week.
State Senator Mallory McMorrow introduced legislation to require all firearm parts to have serial numbers, therefore requiring background checks and banning ghost guns.
End Gun Violence Michigan Director Ryan Bates was there, saying a gun advocate brought a ghost gun kit to the floor and able to pass through security with it.
“After they’ve been assembled from a kit, a ghost gun is functionally exactly the same as a fully assembled firearm,” McMorrow said. “This is utilizing a loophole in the law that says if you can turn four screws and assemble a gun that way, you don’t have to have a background check. But it takes about half an hour to assemble one of these things, and you have a fully functioning firearm. If you’re using 3D printed parts, you can do it at home in secret.”
The bills were approved. They head to the Senate floor for consideration.