What is a ghost gun? [Video]

SALT LAKE CITY — After arresting Luigi Mangione for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, New York Police said they found a ghost gun in Mangione’s possession.

According to New York Police Department Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, it was a 9-millimeter handgun and silencer that may have been made with a 3D printer.

What is a ghost gun?

The term “ghost gun” comes from gun groups who wanted to disparage firearms made by hobbyists, said Clark Aposhian, chairman of the Utah Shooting Sports Council.

One big characteristic of ghost guns is that they are largely untraceable. According to the Wall Street Journal, they lack serial numbers, and buyers do not have to complete a background check.

They don’t have serial numbers because they don’t have anything to do with commerce, said Aposhian.

Another key factor is that they often are a combination of 3D-printed and traditionally manufactured parts. 3D printers are now widely available to the …