U.S. senate minority leader Chuck Schumer was in Kingston on Monday to warn of the danger posed by untraceable “ghost guns” and to call for immediate federal action to mandate background checks on all large firearms components. Schumer’s visit coincides with a recent spike in gun violence in the city.
“Ghost guns” refers to firearms assembled from parts which can be easily purchased online without a background check. Unlike fully assembled guns purchased legally, ghost guns do not have serial numbers, making them nearly impossible for police to trace. Speaking at Kingston police headquarters alongside Mayor Steve Noble, County Executive Pat Ryan and law-enforcement officials from Orange and Ulster counties, Schumer said ghost guns made it frighteningly easy for convicted felons and others barred from owning firearms to obtain deadly weapons.
“I believe in the Second Amendment, always have,” said Schumer. “But there are always limits, and one of them is background checks.”
Schumer said that banning the sale of gun parts without a background check would not require legislative action. Instead, he said he planned to press the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to change their interpretation of an existing federal law to mandate background checks for the sale of major gun components.
“We don’t need legislation,” said Schumer. “They can do it with the flick of a pen.”
Go back to Washington….get something done! You’ve been wasting too much time trying to frame Trump. The Democrats deserve much better! So does NY.
A professional liberal…as opposed to the lovable amateur. Please be more careful whom you guys elect. K?
I am glad he came to town and met with local leaders to address this problem. All our law enforcement officials support this initiative. Let’s support them by getting behind it.