The Bronx District Legal professional is amongst a bunch of prosecutors asking two bank card corporations to not course of online purchases of so-called “ghost guns” – untraceable firearms that may be assembled at dwelling – as a manner of lowering gun violence.
In a letter to Visa and Mastercard earlier this week, Bronx D.A. Darcel Clark – who co-chairs Prosecutors Towards Gun Violence, an advocacy group – referred to ghost weapons as “one of the most serious gun safety problems facing this country.”
Ghost weapons are firearms with no serial quantity and made up of element elements. They’re normally bought online and may be assembled in slightly below half-hour
“The untraceable nature of ghost guns makes it challenging for law enforcement to solve the crimes they are used in and bring criminals to justice,” Clark wrote within the letter despatched this week.
The letter comes as the usage of ghost weapons continues to improve throughout the town. It additionally comes as gun violence stays a significant concern for regulation enforcement.
Final 12 months, the NYPD recovered 275 ghost weapons, probably the most in comparison to earlier years, in accordance to police knowledge. This 12 months, the police division recovered 153 ghost weapons, up 314% in contrast to the identical time a 12 months in the past. This 12 months, the police division recovered 153 ghost weapons, up 314% in contrast to the identical time a 12 months in the past. Simply final month, prosecutors introduced a number of prices in opposition to a Brooklyn man for allegedly stashing 13 ghost weapons in his residence.
There have been efforts on the town, state, and federal stage to deal with the proliferation of ghost weapons.
On Wednesday Mayor Eric Adams stated that his administration despatched a letter to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives company to revoke the license of Polymer80, makers of high-powered ghost weapons discovered on the scenes of shootings within the metropolis.
“This is not a New York City problem. It’s an American problem,” Adams stated.
Final month, the Biden administration launched a brand new rule that might require ghost gun producers to be licensed, stamp serial numbers on their elements and carry out background checks on consumers. Nonetheless, the rule wouldn’t take impact till August of this 12 months on the earliest. Gov. Kathy Hochul, meantime, signed laws that bans the sale of ghost weapons in New York state.
Within the letter, Clark stated if Visa and Mastercard agree to block ghost gun gross sales it might deal with the hole earlier than the Biden rule kicks in.
“We are asking that you take action now to help keep hundreds if not thousands of ghost guns from being built and used in crimes in the next three months,” she advised Visa and Mastercard within the letter.
Seth Eisen, a spokesperson for Mastercard, stated, “Where laws prohibit the sale of unserialized firearms parts, we are working to ensure Mastercard products cannot be used to purchase them. We will continue to engage with lawmakers, law enforcement and others on important topics such as this.”’
A consultant for Visa didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.