Ghost guns increasing in numbers in Camden County: police
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- The Camden County Police Department is on pace to seize a record number of untraceable "ghost guns" this year. So far, Camden County officers have seized 45 ghost guns. Last year, the department recovered 61 ghost guns.
Ghost guns are firearms without serial numbers, which makes it difficult for officers to trace them back to their original owners.
Lt. Christie Sarlo explained that because ghost guns allow people to bypass background checks, they've become a popular option for criminals.
"They've pretty much become more popular because it's the equivalent, the best way to describe it is buying a model car kit," Lt. Sarlo said. "You can purchase a kit that has all the pieces to it, and you can put it together at home. you just buy all the components, and once they come, you place it together."
Despite New Jersey's strict gun laws, Camden County Police said 80% of these guns come from out-of-state.
It's why county and city leaders are demanding that Congress pass legislation to outlaw ghost guns nationwide.
"If they're not going to do it nationally, we have to work that much harder," Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen said. "That's what our police department says, we have to work that much harder."
Community groups like Nyzia Easterling's Saving Grace Ministries are also working hard to end gun violence.
Easterling said while law enforcement seizing illegal guns after a crime happens is important, it also takes organizations like hers to encourage children not to seek illegal guns in the first place.
"A lot of children who are toting the illegal guns, they're doing that due to environmental trauma," Easterling said. "Let's start to change the narrative. Let's start to teach children that it's more out there than a gun to protect you, and that's not where your love comes from."