LOS ANGELES (AP) — The gunman who killed his wife and four others in a rampage in Northern California this week found an easy way around a court order prohibiting him from having guns: He built his own at home.
Kevin Neal, 44, was armed with what authorities believe were two high-powered rifles that he made himself when he opened fire Tuesday on homes, cars and an elementary school around his tiny hometown of Rancho Tehama Reserve. A deputy finally shot and killed him.
It is the latest case of homemade semi-automatic weapons being used in a crime, and it comes as federal authorities try to draw attention to the dangers posed by these “ghost guns,” which contain no registration numbers that can be used to trace them. In Baltimore, a man used a homemade AR-15-style rifle to shoot at four police officers in July 2016. They returned fire, killing him.
It’s legal to build a gun in a home or a workshop, and advances in 3-D printing and milling have made it easier to do so. Kits can be purchased legally for $450 to $1,000 from hundreds of websites without the kind of background check required for traditional gun purchases.
“The more restrictive the laws become for people to purchase firearms, we’re going to see those criminal elements build their own,” Tehama County Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston said. “That’s what they do.”
In Neal’s case, he had been ordered to give up all his guns earlier this year under a restraining order issued against him after he was charged with assaulting two women who lived nearby. He signed a document in February saying he surrendered a 9 mm handgun to a gun store, which also attested to that. When Neal was arrested, police seized an AR-15 Bushmaster semi-automatic rifle.
While making a ghost gun is legal, selling one is not. Federal officials are sounding the alarm about an increasing black market for homemade military-style semi-automatic rifles and handguns.
Mills where such weapons are built are popping up across the country and especially in California, which has strict gun laws. By 2019, people who own or create homemade firearms in California will have to apply for a serial number from the state and permanently affix it to the weapon.
The critical component in building an untraceable gun is what is known as the lower receiver, a part typically made of metal or polymer. An unfinished receiver — sometimes referred to as an “80-percent receiver” — can be legally bought online with no serial numbers or other markings on it, no license required.
Converting the piece of metal into a firearm is relatively simple and takes only a few hours. A drill press or a metal cutting machine known as a Computer Numeric Control, or CNC, is used to create a few holes in the receiver and well out a cavity. The receiver is then combined with a few other parts to create a fully functioning semi-automatic rifle or handgun.
Ghost guns are increasingly turning up at crime scenes and being purchased from gang members and other criminals by undercover federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents. It is hard to say how many are circulating on the streets. In many cases, police departments don’t even contact the ATF about the guns because they can’t be traced.
Cody Wilson, who runs a website and sells unfinished receivers and a CNC machine specifically marketed for making ghost guns, said although there is no legal requirement that he conduct background checks, he tries to take precautions to make sure the weapons aren’t used nefariously. For example, he said, he won’t sell to foreigners.
Wilson said he sells about 175 Ghost Gunner machines each month for about $1,700 each. Purchasers can use them over and over to mill out their guns. Wilson said most of his customers are gun enthusiasts and survivalists who simply enjoy building their own military-style weapons.
“There’s a genuine excitement,” he said.
Criminals, though, see the guns as a way to sidestep federal laws that prohibit them from owning guns, said Paul Ware, an attorney with the ATF in Los Angeles.
“The unfinished receiver is a total workaround because the prohibited person doesn’t have to provide any identification,” Ware said. “You just get it delivered to your home, and you build the exact same gun you could have bought at the store.”
Some illegal gun mills provide one-stop shopping — they build the guns and sell them on site, Ware said.
Anthony Keeling operated a business out of a motorcycle shop in Riverside where he finished receivers and illegally sold them, authorities said. Keeling pleaded guilty to federal charges earlier this year and was sentenced to four months in prison.
In another case, a business tried to skirt the federal firearms licensing requirements by claiming it was selling barbeques and giving away ghost guns free with each purchase.
“It was like a parting gift,” Ware said. “Instead of beans and a hotdog, you were getting an AK” rifle.
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/california-shooting-rampage-highlights-ghost-guns-185746544.html
What’s next, The Handyman Ban?!
Necessity is the mother of invention, right?
Anything to stir up fear…
“The more restrictive the laws become for people to purchase firearms, we’re going to see those criminal elements build their own,” Tehama County Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston said. “That’s what they do.”
I PROPOSE THAT THE “CRIMINAL ELEMENT” SHOOT THIS TRAITOR PATSY IN THE HEAD……..
This article just proves that no law made will ever stop this
What stops a nut with a gun?
Is a trained and ready individual with a gun opposing the nut with a gun .
No law will ever stop someone from making a gun or using one in a crime .
All gun laws are an infringement on the law abiding gun owners , laws don’t apply to criminals .. like duh
Plus I don’t have time to point out all the fail in this article either , but there’s tons of stupid comments , and wording
“Home made military style semi automatic rifle” bahahahaha please
My friends in Kalifornia are buying 80% AR and Glock frames by the case lot. DEATH TO THE NEW WORLD ORDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kalifornian’s will have to apply for a serial number from the communist scum. LOL FAT CHANCE!
Come on, tell me you don’t get it! It doesn’t matter what, how, or why you want, have, or build guns, their intention is to disarm you of any means of self-defense. Give them, (guns), up or put them to ‘Good’ use… now not later. You have a choice today, you wont tomorrow.
“Converting the piece of metal into a firearm is relatively simple and takes only a few hours. A drill press or a metal cutting machine known as a Computer Numeric Control, or CNC, is used to create a few holes in the receiver and well out a cavity. The receiver is then combined with a few other parts to create a fully functioning semi-automatic rifle or handgun.”
lol says someone who I’m sure has never done it. Let’s break this paragraph down.
Relatively simple? I suppose but much easier to mess up than get right.
Only a few hours? I suppose if by few you mean 3 or more on a preprogrammed cnc machine with all the parts handy and you have experience. Much harder on A drill press but cnc machines are cost prohibitive.
A few holes and welling out a cavity? So long as you get them in the right place and go to two decimal points with accuracy.
Then combined with a few other parts? The lower alone is more than 2 dozen parts in the proper order and many are tiny springs and detents.
Fully functioning semi auto? Sure if done right but why stop there?
One could also put a bump stock on it and make it a increased rate military style assault machine gun with flame paint job, and a front grip and short barrel and banana mag that also shoots midgets from an under side m203 style flame throwing catapult lunching bb gun attachment.
First I’ve heard of a ghost gun(lol) being used in a crime. Oh and by the way. Despite not requiring a nationally registered serial number they do require a purchasers receipt for the lower and a annotated makers mark. At least you want these if the feds catch you with it in the woods.
It’s only a rifle. I want an 80% aim54 missile and an 80% f14 tomcat. I feel cheated!