MARYLAND, USA — A Prince George's County councilmember is celebrating the recent settlement that bans the largest manufacturer of ghost gun parts from selling and advertising their products to Maryland residents.
"We are one step closer to decreasing the crime in our county," Councilmember At-Large Calvin Hawkins told WUSA9.
Nevada-based Polymer80 agreed to stop selling its untraceable, unassembled firearms in response to a 2022 city of Baltimore lawsuit that argued that the manufacturer created a public health crisis.
Baltimore City accused the manufacturer of intentionally undermining federal and state firearms laws by designing, manufacturing, and providing gun assembly kits without serial numbers to buyers without undergoing background checks.
Officials say, the largest manufacturer of ghost guns granted the city all measures of relief including a $1.2 million payment for damages. The settlement also bans dealers in nearby states from selling ghost guns to Maryland residents.
"The number of ghost guns our youth have in their possession and access to, is beyond even what the chief could imagine. I was grateful and excited to hear this news, but also to know we have an opportunity to help our police chief and the men and women of our law enforcement community," Hawkins said.
During a January hearing with the Prince George's County Council, Police Chief Malik Aziz voiced his concern over the rise in youth crime.
Last year 97 juveniles were arrested for gun related charges in Prince George's County according to police data. An additional 21 juveniles were arrested with ghost guns identified by police as Polymer80 weapons.
In Nov. 2023 a 15-year-old boy managed to bring a loaded ghost gun inside of Bowie High School by entering through a back door and avoiding the school's weapon detection system according to police.
Hawkins says the recent settlement is also a reminder for parents to start conversations with their kids. "Don't think your kids are absent from the influence of holding a ghost gun because of so much that is going on. Don't be afraid of checking your kids rooms," he said.
WUSA9 reached out to Polymer80 for comment, but a response was never provided.