New Bill Aims to Strengthen Regulations on Ghost Guns

Text has been received concerning H.R. 2698: Bolstering Security Against Ghost Guns Act. This legislative proposal was introduced on April 7, 2025, and currently enjoys the support of 15 cosponsors.

Here is a brief overview of the bill:

The “Bolstering Security Against Ghost Guns Act” seeks to establish stricter security protocols related to ghost guns—firearms that are assembled from kits and often lack serial numbers, making them hard to trace. The bill outlines key provisions to mitigate the risks posed by these weapons.

Development of a Comprehensive Strategy

The bill assigns the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the responsibility to formulate a broad strategy within one year of enactment. The focus of this strategy will be on:

• Enhancing prevention and response measures against ghost gun threats, particularly in the context of terrorism and targeted violence.
• Boosting information sharing and collaboration across various DHS components concerning ghost guns.
• Increasing coordination with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities.

Assessment of Cross-Border Threats

Additionally, the legislation mandates that the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis conduct a threat assessment within 180 days of becoming law. This assessment will specifically target:

• Cross-border threats involving United States-sourced ghost guns and their components.
• The role of transnational criminal organizations in illicit activities involving these firearms.

Research and Reporting by the Secret Service

The Director of the United States Secret Service will be responsible for conducting research and issuing public reports within one year of the bill’s passage, focusing on:

• Strategies for preventing, preparing for, and responding to threats associated with ghost guns.

TSA Reporting Requirements

The TSA Administrator must report annually on instances of unauthorized firearms found at passenger screening checkpoints. This report is required to include:

• The count of violations linked to ghost guns.
• Trends in violations and TSA’s initiatives to raise public awareness about these regulations.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Duties

ICE holds specific obligations under the bill, which include:

• Conducting an analysis of threats posed by U.S.-sourced ghost guns discovered in Mexico.
• Exploring methods for sharing information about these firearms with federal partners.
• Establishing performance metrics to assess ICE’s efforts against ghost gun threats.

Government Reporting on Threats

Moreover, the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis is also required to produce a report analyzing the threats posed by ghost guns related to terrorism within 180 days post-enactment. This report should:

• Evaluate the sources for the acquisition, manufacturing, and trafficking of ghost guns.
• Identify various threats associated with ghost guns and assess their severity.

Clarity on Definitions

The bill defines several key terms, including:

• Ghost gun: A firearm produced privately.
• Act of terrorism: Defined per legal standards.
• Targeted violence: Defined according to existing laws.

Overall Purpose of the Bill

The primary aim of this legislation is to boost national security concerning firearms that are untraceable, posing significant challenges for law enforcement and public safety.

Proposals from Representative Bennie G. Thompson

Here are some recent bills proposed by Representative Bennie G. Thompson:

• H.R. 2901: An amendment to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 aimed at improving the Department of Homeland Security’s Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
• H.R. 2698: Bolstering Security Against Ghost Guns Act.
• H.R. 2086: Rights for the TSA Workforce Act.

Representative Bennie G. Thompson’s Financial Status

As of April 18, 2025, Quiver Quantitative estimates that Representative Bennie G. Thompson holds a net worth of $2.5 million, ranking him 192nd in terms of net worth among Congress members.

Thompson has approximately $15.5K invested in publicly traded assets that Quiver tracks in real time.

You can follow Representative Bennie G. Thompson’s net worth updates on Quiver Quantitative’s politician page.

This article does not constitute financial advice. For more information, see Quiver Quantitative’s disclaimers.

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