Columbia is one of a number of cities that are suing the federal government in hopes of slowing the proliferation of so-called “ghost guns.”
The Capital City joined Chicago; Syracuse, New York; and San Jose, California in the lawsuit filed Aug. 26. Anti-gun violence organization Everytown for Gun Safety also is a plaintiff in the suit. Defendants include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Department of Justice; and U.S. Attorney General William Barr.
Ghost guns are homemade firearms that citizens can construct themselves, without a serial number. As noted in a report from 60 Minutes earlier this year, the firearms can be “virtually untraceable.” The homemade guns have become increasingly popular.