CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE TAKES ACTION TO ENSURE ALL GUNS ARE EASILY DETECTABLE BY SECURITY SYSTEMS

Announcement comes on the heels of recent Democrat and Chronicle report of a Rochester man selling undetectable "ghost" guns

(Rochester, NY) – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle co-sponsored legislation modernizing the Undetectable Firearms Act to account for new technologies that cause many firearms to be undetectable by current security systems. The legislation will ensure that firearms made primarily or entirely of plastic, such as those made by a 3-D printer, will be clearly prohibited and easily detectable.

"Every day, 100 Americans are killed with guns and thousands more are injured. We need to do everything in our power to stem this tide of violence, and that means modernizing our laws to account for new technology that renders many of today's weapons undetectable," said Rep. Morelle. "This common-sense legislation will ensure dangerous weapons don't fall through the cracks of our security systems and better protect communities across the country."

Currently, the Undetectable Firearms Act, enacted in 1988, requires that all firearms be at least as detectable as a "security exemplar" that contained 3.7 oz. of stainless steel. However, as technology advances, more and more firearms are being made partially or entirely of plastic – known as "ghost guns," these weapons are often undetectable to security systems scanning for metal.

Legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Morelle, the Undetectable Firearms Modernization Act (HR 869), requires any firearm with all of its major components attached to generate a gun-shaped image in the detection systems. This new regulation will help ensure all guns are detectable, even if they do not obtain metal parts.

The bill has earned support from advocacy organizations including Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action.

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