(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / © Diplomatic Times) Ritchie Torres, Representative from New York serving New York District 15 at press conference in the Bronx announcing legislation to put an end to ghost guns Apr. 15, 2022.
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
BRONX, NY – U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York announced new legislation this month that he and other elected officials hope will put an end to so-called ghost guns. They are called ghost guns because they’re unlicensed, have no serial numbers, and difficult for police to trace. The proposed bill would allow manufacturers of ghost gun parts to be sued after a shooting. In 2021, 20,000 ghost guns were recovered by law enforcement in criminal investigations across the United States– a tenfold increase since 2016. The NY congressman said gun violence is an epidemic and noted the recent tragic murder of a 16-year-old in the Bronx district he represents.
“The gun violence epidemic is out of control and it’s a crisis that is too glaring to ignore. Within the past week alone there have been several fatal instances of gun violence throughout New York City, including the death of a sixteen-year-old girl in the Bronx and several critical injuries in the terrorist attack in Brooklyn. These recent shootings are not isolated cases. We have seen a substantial rise in gun violence throughout New York City and the United States within the last year, and it is past time for federal legislation that addresses the proliferation of untraceable guns throughout the country.”
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY)
Gun violence has increased substantially across New York City
(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times ) Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark at podium speaks out on ghost guns during NY Rep. Ritchie Torres’ announcing legislation to put an end to ghost guns Apr. 15, 2022.
Gun violence has increased substantially across New York City in the past year, with high rates of shooting incidents in the Bronx and Brooklyn. According to data from the New York Police Department (NYPD), there have been 1,207 gun arrests since the start of 2020, and a 16% increase in shooting incidents between March 2021 and 2022. Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark joined Rep. Torres at the announcement. Clark said “We must keep ghost guns off the streets like the one used to kill 16-year-old Angellyh Yambo. I stood here today with Ritchie Torres, local leaders and cure violence groups to show support for his proposed bill allowing manufacturers of ghost gun parts to be sued after a shooting.”
“DON’T SHOOT. I WANT TO GROW UP” – Young Black Children In New York
(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times ) “DON’T SHOOT. I WANT TO GROW UP” – Release The Grip (RTP) Anti-Gun Violence Initiative group supporting Rep. Torres proposed ghost gun bill announcement in the Bronx Apr. 15, 2022.
Rep,. Torres said moral concern first should have long ago held manufactures accountable, not after deaths.
“It should not take gun violence and deaths in our communities to pass gun safety legislation that allows victims to hold manufacturers accountable,” said Rep. Torres. “ I am proud to introduce long-overdue legislation that will allow victims and their families to seek justice in civil court. I hope Congress will act swiftly to pass this important bill.”
