Papan Legislation to Limit the Proliferation of Ghost Guns Signed by Governor Newsom

Sacramento, CA — Legislation authored by Assemblymember Diane Papan to improve public safety and curb the rise of untraceable firearms has been signed by Governor Newsom. Assembly Bill (AB) 2842 targets the proliferation of ghost guns by prohibiting third-party gun destruction companies from reselling leftover gun parts following the destruction of the "firearm" mechanism.

Ghost guns, which are untraceable firearms assembled from parts or kits without serial numbers, are proliferating at an alarming rate and are often used in criminal activities across California. The spread of these weapons has been partly fueled by the unethical practices of some firearm destruction companies, which, under current laws, are allowed to resell components of destroyed firearms leading to the assembly of new, untraceable guns.

"Assembly Bill 2842 closes a dangerous loophole that has allowed ghost guns to haunt our communities," said Assemblymember Diane Papan. "By prohibiting the resale of gun parts by third-party destruction companies, we are taking a critical step to eliminate these untraceable weapons and ensuring they do not find their way back into the hands of criminals."

The passage of AB 2842 is a response to the escalating number of ghost guns recovered by law enforcement in recent years. Between 2010 and 2020, over 39,000 ghost guns were linked to criminal activities in California. In just the following two years, this number surged to over 45,000. These statistics underscore the urgent need for legislative action to prevent the continued spread of these dangerous weapons.

"Ghost guns are a clear and present danger to the safety of our communities," said Papan. "With AB 2842, we are sending a strong message that California will not tolerate the creation and circulation of these weapons.”

The bill ensures that firearms recovered from crime scenes and buy-back programs cannot contribute to the creation of new ghost guns. By mandating that law enforcement agencies only contract with firearm destruction companies that prohibit the resale of any gun parts, AB 2842 will significantly reduce the availability of ghost gun kits, which have become increasingly popular among criminals.

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