PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — In a significant development, two gun parts manufacturers have agreed to temporarily halt sales of their products in Philadelphia and other parts of Pennsylvania. The announcement came as city officials settled their lawsuit against Polymer80 and JSD Supply. The companies were accused of perpetuating gun violence by manufacturing and selling untraceable weapons, commonly known as “ghost guns.” The lawsuit was part of a broader legal effort to restrict the marketing of assemble-at-home guns.
According to city officials, Philadelphia filed the suit in July, citing the manufacturers’ reckless business practices that threatened public safety. The Giffords Law Center, representing the city, emphasized that holding the gun industry accountable when it breaks the law is crucial. David Pucino, the legal director of the center, highlighted the importance of enforcing consequences for endangering Americans.
Under the terms of the settlement, JSD Supply, based in Butler, Pennsylvania, has agreed to a four-year ban on selling its products in the state. Eagle Shows, owned by JSD Supply and advertised as Pennsylvania’s largest gun show, will also be prohibited from vending gun parts for two years. Dayton, Nevada-based Polymer80 has agreed to a four-year ban on sales to customers in Philadelphia and several nearby counties. In addition, Polymer80 will contribute $1.3 million towards efforts to combat gun violence, as stated by Philadelphia officials.
Commenting on the settlement, Philadelphia’s city solicitor, Renee Garcia, expressed the devastating impact of these untraceable weapons on communities. Garcia lamented that these guns had fallen into the hands of youth and individuals prohibited from possessing firearms. According to city officials, ghost guns, which can be acquired without background checks and assembled at home, have become the weapon of choice for criminals, children, and others who are not legally allowed to own firearms.
Data from the city’s lawsuit reveals a troubling increase in the use of ghost guns in crimes. Between 2019 and 2022, law enforcement recorded a fourfold rise in the number of ghost guns confiscated after being used in criminal activities. In 2022 alone, Philadelphia police seized 575 of these weapons. The lawsuit also pointed out a deadly shooting spree in July, where a gunman armed with self-manufactured firearms killed five people in Philadelphia.
Mayor Cherelle Parker, during a news conference discussing her first 100 days in office, emphasized the accountability of Polymer80 and JSD in supplying the crime gun market and perpetuating gun violence. She revealed that 90% of the ghost guns recovered in the city were produced by these two manufacturers.
This settlement in Philadelphia follows a similar agreement reached between Polymer80 and the city of Baltimore in February. The gun retailer agreed to stop selling firearms to residents of Maryland. Additionally, last month, a federal judge permanently banned a Florida gun retailer from selling certain gun parts in New York that could be used to assemble untraceable ghost guns sold without background checks.
The agreement between Philadelphia and the gun parts manufacturers signifies a step forward in addressing the rampant issue of ghost guns and their contribution to gun violence. The temporary halt in sales and the financial contribution from Polymer80 will support efforts to combat this pressing problem. The settlement showcases the significance of holding manufacturers accountable for their role in supplying the gun market and emphasizes the urgency of implementing stricter regulations surrounding the sales of ghost guns.