Law enforcement view ghost guns threat; question whether UnitedHealth CEO murder was domestic terrorism
NEW YORK CITY, Ny. - The New York Police Chief of Detectives says Luigi Mangione was arrested with what appeared to be a "ghost gun" made with a "3-D printer."
That type of gun is untraceable and can be built at home, making it even more dangerous.
They are easy to get from the internet, relatively cheap, and simple to assemble.
READ: Who is Luigi Mangione? Person of interest in CEO killing investigation from prominent family
Ghost guns have become a growing problem for law enforcement agencies all across the country.
FILE: Ghost guns
"It's a sinister phenomenon that you can actually make a gun, and they're plastic. There are a lot of different ways you can make them," said former assistant director of the FBI Criminal Investigations Division, Chris Swecker.
Swecker said ghost guns are made without a serial number, sometimes from a kit sold online or a 3D printer.
"The common denominator is they're not traceable; even though they are considered firearms by the AT, you need to get a permit or be registered. So they're untraceable. That means they're perfect for crime," said Swecker.
Swecker said, you can see in the video, where it looks like the gun was jammed, the suspect had to eject the shell casings manually.
Local law enforcement agencies nationwide deal with ghost guns on the streets.
From 2016 to 2021, there were more than 45,000 suspected ghost guns reported to the ATF.
Swecker said he couldn't believe the person of interest didn't get rid of it.
"That's one of the things about the gun; you can just get rid of it. It's easy to make and easy to get rid of," said Swecker. "But it is a bad trend, if you will, that these guns are out there. I don't think ATF and local law enforcement have any way of controlling this."
Swecker said that easy access to ghost guns on the internet is making the trend of ghost guns more and more dangerous.
"The internet is the internet. You can learn how to do a lot of bad things on the internet," said Swecker.
As an FBI agent, Swecker managed the capture of Eric Rudolph, the 1996 Olympic bomber.
He said it would be interesting to understand Mangione’s ideology and motivation, which could shape whether federal charges are brought.
Mangione being apprehended by Pennsylvania officers.
"What's emerging right now is that he has the support of an anarchist, anti-capitalist, anti-corporation, anti-corporate America ideology, which is very much like the Unabomber, a lot like Eric Rudolph," Swecker said.
READ: Luigi Mangione, suspect in CEO killing, arrested with ghost gun, documents: Latest updates
Swecker said that as a full investigation into Mangione’s motives occurs, that answer will emerge.
"We'll see if it emerges that that is indeed his driving force here. If it's something personal, that's different," Swecker said. "But if it's an ideology driving it, and it's to make social change with violence or make his point with violence, then that is the pure definition of domestic terrorism."
Swecker said that if the murder was motivated by greater ideologies, there could be a greater risk of copycats and trying to determine whether the shooter, in this case, acted alone or if other people who shared his ideologies might be involved.
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