A felon, Thomas Higgins, aged 40, was arrested in Yucca Valley, California, on November 16. He was found in possession of an illegal, unserialized firearm, commonly known as a 'ghost gun.' Deputies detained him during a routine traffic stop, wherein they discovered active felony and misdemeanor warrants associated with his name as reported by the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department.
Despite legislative efforts, ghost guns will continue to be a growing concern in the national context. They contribute to the rising incidents of firearm-related violence. State legislatures, including California, have initiated laws like AB 1621, making it illegal for disqualified individuals to possess, build, or transfer ghost guns. The effectiveness of such measures, however, remains a subject of scrutiny, with unauthorized firearms remaining pervasive.
Reports indicate that Higgins is currently being held at the Morongo Basin Jail, with bail set at $50,000. He was accused of PC 29800, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, along with numerous warrants. The investigation is still in progress, and individuals are encouraged by law enforcement to share any information they have about the case by reaching out to Deputy N. Kridner at (760) 366-4175 or the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463).
