BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (KFGO/WCCO) – The Brooklyn Park Police Department is highlighting the dangers of so-called “ghost guns” as they announce the arrests of two 17-year old’s in connection with a murder earlier this month.
Police say four 17-year old’s were in a car, when two of them allegedly fired shots at a group outside.
Syok Siko was killed and another boy was injured while inside the vehicle.
Inspector Elliot Faust says the two suspects tried to hide the un-serialized “ghost guns” which were found nearby by detectives. Faust says acquiring the guns online was a fairly simple process.
We believe that they ordered parts from multiple different manufacturers online,” says Faust. “They shipped all those parts to their home under an alias name, and once they arrived they performed a simple milling process and created functional firearms.”
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley added that the gun violence needs to stop, and is calling on legislators to take notice.
“When we have children who can buy guns off the internet, assemble them, and take a life, action needs to be taken,” says Bruley.
The so-called “ghost guns” are privately-made firearms without serial numbers. Generally, firearms manufactured by licensed companies are required to have serial numbers – usually displayed on the frame of the gun – that allow officials to trace the gun back to the manufacturer, the firearms dealer and original purchaser.
Ghost guns, however, are made of parts and are then assembled together. The critical component in building an untraceable gun is what is known as the lower receiver. Some are sold in do-it-yourself kits and the receivers are typically made from metal or polymer.
