In a landmark move for Pennsylvania, Delaware County Council has enacted Ordinance 2025-2, effectively banning ghost guns and machine gun conversion kits within its jurisdiction. This decisive action, passed unanimously by the council, positions the county as the first in the state to prohibit these unregulated and often untraceable firearm components, as reported by Delaware County's official release.
The urgency of the measure was underscored by a grim statistic highlighted by council members: law enforcement in Philadelphia witnessed a staggering 4,600% increase in the recovery of ghost guns from 2018 to 2022. Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor emphasized the critical balance of the ordinance, stating, as per Delaware County, "As public officials, we have no higher duty than to protect public safety while preserving individual rights." The new ordinance is not without its penalties – violating its terms could result in a $1,000 fine or up to 10 days of imprisonment.
These bans come in the wake of the high-profile murder of the CEO of United Healthcare, a crime in which a ghost gun was utilized. Council member Elaine Paul Schaefer expressed a sobering rationale for the ban, telling fellow officials and the public, per Delaware County, "In this country, guns are the number one cause of death of children. We are responsible for keeping people safe." Ghost guns, which are assembled from parts without serial numbers and can be built in mere minutes, have become a significant concern for communities grappling with gun violence.
