In a virtual town hall Tuesday, Sen. James Manning (D-Eugene), previewed next year’s legislative priorities, beginning with a short session during which he said senators and representatives were told not to bring forward any bills relating to guns or vaccines.
Each member of the House and Senate is able to bring two bills into the session, and both of Manning’s concerned firearm regulation: One, to curb the use of “ghost guns,” weapons which are often sold as do-it-yourself kits made from separately manufactured parts, each of which lacks any traceable serial number. Because the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) considers the kits to be unassembled parts rather than potential firearms, they are not regulated in the same way as guns. But “ghost guns” have risen in popularity, helped in part by the availability of 3D printers. They have also been traced to at least one mass shooting event.
