Bill Overview
Title: To provide a private right of action against the maker of any component of a ghost gun, and any person who facilitated a sale of the ghost gun, for injury or death resulting from the use of the ghost gun.
Description: This bill establishes a private right of action against a maker of any component of a ghost gun or any person who facilitated any sale of a ghost gun. A ghost gun is a firearm that lacks a unique serial number.
Sponsors: Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals affected by ghost guns and related legislation
Estimated Size: 250000
- The bill creates legal consequences for manufacturers of ghost gun components, affecting those involved in the firearms industry who produce parts easily assembled into ghost guns.
- Ghost guns are firearms lacking serial numbers, making them difficult to trace and often appealing to individuals seeking to circumvent standard gun regulations.
- Individuals and families affected by injuries or deaths caused by ghost guns, who may now have a legal avenue to pursue actions against manufacturers or sellers of ghost gun components.
- Law enforcement could see changes in how they manage cases involving ghost guns due to new legal frameworks provided by this bill.
- Individuals involved in facilitating the sale of ghost guns could also find themselves liable under this new law.
Reasoning
- The policy is likely to have a limited direct impact on the general population because it specifically targets manufacturers and sellers of ghost gun components, a relatively niche area within the firearms market.
- While the policy does not aim to ban ghost guns, it introduces potential legal consequences for those in the supply chain, which could lead to changes in business operations or potential shutdowns, affecting some economic aspects for those involved.
- Indirectly, the policy could influence public safety perceptions, particularly for families affected by gun violence, which might have a positive impact on their wellbeing.
- Through legal avenues, victims or families affected by ghost gun incidents have a newfound capacity for action, which might provide psychological relief and closure to some degree, contributing to improved wellbeing.
- Ghost gun manufacturers and sellers face significant business risks; however, since the population estimate for those involved is relatively small compared to the general population, the broader economic impacts are expected to be minimal.
Simulated Interviews
Firearms Manufacturer (Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy creates a legal nightmare for small businesses like mine.
- I understand the need for public safety but this could bankrupt me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 2 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Mother (California)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finally, families like mine have a way to fight back against these illegal businesses.
- This won't bring my husband back but it offers some sense of justice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Law Enforcement Officer (New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This law will help us trace these guns and hold people accountable.
- It gives us more leverage in tackling gun-related crimes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Retired Military (Virginia)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned what this means for legal hobbyists who aren't doing anything wrong.
- Regulations should be clearer to avoid punishing law-abiding citizens.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Lawyer specializing in civil litigation (Pennsylvania)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This creates a new field for litigation which could help provide justice.
- However, it may open a floodgate of lawsuits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Teacher (Illinois)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Anything that could make communities safer is welcome.
- I am cautiously optimistic about the changes this could bring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Activist (Florida)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a step in the right direction for controlling gun violence.
- We need continuous efforts and this policy helps build a strong case.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Ghost Gun Hobbyist (Montana)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not hurting anyone, and yet this policy makes me nervous.
- I wish there was more clarity on what's allowed and what isn't.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Colorado)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could seriously hurt my business.
- I understand the concerns for safety but need viable paths for legal sale.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Political Analyst (Washington D.C.)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy shows a shift in how seriously we are tackling gun control.
- It's a good component of a larger strategy to enhance legal accountability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $520000000 (Low: $410000000, High: $630000000)
Year 3: $540000000 (Low: $420000000, High: $660000000)
Year 5: $580000000 (Low: $460000000, High: $720000000)
Year 10: $650000000 (Low: $520000000, High: $810000000)
Year 100: $1100000000 (Low: $880000000, High: $1320000000)
Key Considerations
- The ability of individuals to successfully pursue legal actions under this bill may depend greatly on access to legal resources and knowledge of their legal rights.
- The firearms manufacturing industry might face significant pressure to change practices or face substantial legal risks.
- The effectiveness of this legislation in curbing the rise of ghost guns could depend on the enforceability and awareness of the legal changes introduced.
- There may be considerable variation in how this law impacts different jurisdictions due to existing state and local gun regulations.