TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to work with the Long Beach Police Department to present a report to City Council on statistics and impacts of ghost guns; and, the feasibility of developing additional ordinances to criminalize the possession, sale, and/or manufacture of ghost guns and ghost gun parts.
DISCUSSION
Violent crime continues to be a challenge for Cities all across the state and country. As the lingering impacts of COVID-19 still affect people’s financial security and reductions in prison sentencing and prosecutions in Los Angeles County have reduced criminal rehabilitation and increased incidents of recidivism, violent crime, property crime, and petty crime are continuing sources of concern and uncertainty for many Long Beach residents.
In light of these ongoing concerns the Public Safety Committee received a presentation from the Long Beach Police Department on February 25, 2022 on ghost guns and the current impacts they are having.
A ghost gun, is also known as a Privately Made Firearm (PMF), as defined in Title 18, U.S.C §921(a)(3)(A) or (B)), “Includes any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into any destructive device described in subparagraph (A) or (B) and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled.” A PMF includes a frame or receiver, completed, assembled, or otherwise produced by a person not licensed to engage in the business of manufacturing firearms; and without a serial number on the frame or receiver by a licensed manufacturer or importer. Ghost guns are often sold directly to customers online throughout the country with no background checks and no serial numbers are used for tracking and no acquisition and disposition records exist for the manufacturing or the transaction of the firearm. As of the end of February 2022 ghost guns represented 25% of all firearms seized by Long Beach Police Department and have been determined to be used in crimes including homicide, assault, battery, robber, and many other types of crimes.
In light of the impacts of our overall gun related incidents that involve ghost guns in Long Beach it is important that Long Beach develop additional ordinances to curb the use of and access to ghost guns. The feasibility of additional ordinances related to ghost guns should include the consideration of steps taken by other cities to criminalize the sale, distribution, and possession of ghost gun parts in addition to complete firearms with no serial number. Further the City of Long Beach should consider supporting relevant state legislation that would reduce the negative impacts of ghost guns in our communities.
The item has been reviewed by Budget Manager Grace H. Yoon on March 24, 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT
The recommendation requests the City Manager to work with the Police Department to report back to the City Council on statistics and impacts of ghost guns and the feasibility of developing additional ordinances to criminalize the possession, sale, and/or manufacture of ghost guns and ghost gun parts. The requested action is anticipated to have a minimal impact on staff hours beyond the budgeted scope of duties and a minimal impact on existing City Council Priorities
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
SUZIE PRICE COUNCILWOMAN,
THIRD DISTRICT
ROBERTO URANGA COUNCILMEMBER,
SEVENTH DISTRICT
AL AUSTIN COUNCILMAN,
EIGHTH DISTRICT