Biden Administration Could Aid Pasadena in Battle Against Ghost Guns

If a coalition against gun violence has its way, Pasadena and other communities could get help from the Biden administration in the battle against nearly untraceable ghost guns.

Prosecutors Against Gun Violence, a coalition of 46 prosecutors co-founded by Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer, urged President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris today to take action against gun violence.

“The Biden/Harris Administration has a historic opportunity to
tackle this emergency,” said Feuer, who also co-chairs the coalition with Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr.

“Steps that build on the consensus to keep guns away from criminals, kids and people in the throes of mental health crises would go a long way toward protecting our nation’s families,” Feuer said.

Last year, Pasadena police took more than 20 ghost guns off the streets, which accounted for about 10 percent of the guns police confiscated last year. Police seized many of those weapons during traffic stops.

On Aug. 15, police recovered a ghost gun at the scene of a fatal officer-involved shooting on North Raymond Avenue, near La Pintoresca Park.

In that incident, a police officer fatally shot Anthony McClain after McClain attempted to flee during a traffic stop. Police officers said they saw the gun before one of the officers opened fire. McClain’s DNA was recovered from the weapon.

On Oct. 2, Police seized a ghost gun during a traffic stop that also resulted in the seizure of several ounces of methamphetamine, stolen credit cards, and nearly $200,000 in cash, police said. Two people were arrested.

One week later, police recovered another unserialized gun during a routine traffic stop on Navarro Avenue and Cedar Street. Two men were arrested in that case.

The 46 prosecutors in Prosecutors Against Gun Violence represent 24 states and serve more than 60 million people. They submitted a set of recommendations to the Biden administration on how the gun violence crisis, which they called “uniquely American,” can be addressed.

The coalition recommends the administration:
— streamline the response to gun violence with a coordinated federal strategy led by a nationally recognized expert with the input of key federal agencies;
— bolster the background check system to effectively prevent people prohibited from buying guns from getting them, including closing loopholes like the so-called “gun show loophole”;
— invest financially to end gun violence by funding evidence-based prevention and intervention programs and providing grants to local governments that encourage strong red-flag laws so that guns can more easily be removed from individuals at risk of harming themselves or others;
— end the proliferation of so-called “ghost guns,” which do not have serial numbers and can be made with 3D printers or assembled from kits purchased online; and
— lead a national safe gun storage campaign to protect children at home, reduce teen suicides and decrease school shootings.

“PAGV will vigorously support efforts by your administration to reduce gun violence, and our members stand ready to assist in developing and implementing gun-violence prevention policies and laws,” the coalition stated in a letter to the Biden administration.

The coalition also released a report titled “Mass Shooting Resource Guide for Prosecutors: How to Prevent, Protect and Prosecute” to help prosecutors work to reduce gun violence in their communities.

On a micro level, it recommends mass shooting response teams be created to help mitigate the risk of shootings at public events by assisting during the events’ planning stages.

On a macro level, the report recommends prosecutors advocate for legislation to create stronger background checks, prohibit ghost guns and increase accountability laws.

The report also advises prosecutors on what to do in the event of a mass shooting. It discusses unique challenges that come along with charging a suspect in a mass shooting, including addressing the balance needed to bring justice to the victims and the potential jury fatigue and lengthy trials.