In a crackdown on illegal firearms operations, the Santa Rosa Police Department made a significant arrest last week. According to a Facebook post by the Santa Rosa Police, detectives apprehended 40-year-old Sebastopol resident Daniel Saylor over allegations of producing and selling untraceable firearms, commonly known as "ghost guns."

The operation unfolding in the third week of March ultimately culminated on April 10 when Saylor was detained at the Sonoma County courthouse with a search warrant. A subsequent raid of his premises on Hessel Road in Sebastopol led to the discovery of an incriminating setup, that included three 3D printers and multiple Glock-style handgun frames, all lacking the legally mandated serial numbers.

California law deems these frames to be "firearm precursor parts", earning them a place in the regulated domain due to their potential to become fully functioning firearms. The bust has put Saylor, who is barred from owning firearms or parts thereof, back into the hands of law enforcement. The charges levied against him include the violation of penal code 29800(a), for a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, and 23920(b), for possessing a precursor part without a valid serial number.

Police emphasized the inherent risks of such components, as they enable criminals to possess firearms indiscernibly. Saylor's arrest throws a spotlight on the growing concern of gun control and the challenges posed by technological advances such as 3D printing. Saylor was booked into the Sonoma County Jail, where according to the Santa Rosa Police Department, he awaits judicial proceedings on these serious allegations.