Gov. Pritzker signs law banning sale, ownership of ghost guns
CHICAGO (CBS) – A new law has been signed to ban those looking to sell or own a "ghost gun" in Illinois.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker just signed a law restricting the sale and possession of firearms without serial numbers.
Ghost guns are unregistered and untraceable homemade weapons that can be made with a 3D printer or assembled from a kit.
In 2021 more than 20,000 ghost guns were involved in police investigations nationwide -- at least 455 were confiscated in by Chicago police. Federal agencies say the weapons are contributing to a rise in gun violence.
For as little as $200, websites offer kits to build everything from handguns to AR-15s and Ak-47s.
"A child should not be able to build an AR-15 like they're building a toy truck," Pritzker said. "A convicted domestic abuser should not be able to avoid scrutiny by using a 3D printer to make a gun."
Illinois is now the 12th state to enact a law against ghost guns.
On May 3, police recovered a ghost gun a student brought to the campus of Oak Park and River Forest High School. No one was hurt -- but the student is charged with unlawful use of a weapon.
