'Ghost Gun' Parts, Automatic Firing Conversion Devices Banned In Delco

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — The Delaware County Council this week passed an ordinance that bans "ghost gun" parts, as well as automatic firing conversion devices.

The council voted unanimously Wednesday night to pass the ban.

Ordinance 2025-2 makes Delaware County the first county in Pennsylvania to ban these firearm parts.

"As public officials, we have no higher duty than to protect public safety while preserving individual rights," Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor said. "This measure does both and couldn’t come at a more crucial time to keep these dangerous gun parts off our streets."

Ghost gun kits and machine gun conversion devices have proliferated in recent years, county officials said.

Members of law enforcement in Philadelphia have reported a 4,600 percent increase in ghost gun recoveries from 2018 to 2022.

"In this country, guns are the number one cause of death of children," County Council member Elaine Paul Schaefer said. "We are responsible for keeping people safe."

The new county measure imposes a fine of $1,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 days for each violation, and makes it illegal to make a ghost gun, to buy or sell the main parts needed to make a ghost gun, and prohibits anyone from manufacturing, producing, purchasing, owning, possessing, selling, or transferring a machine gun converter.

The ordinance will go into effect April 12.

"I have had the unfortunate opportunity to come into contact with 4 ghost guns in my neighborhood over the last 6 months," Delaware County Council Vice-Chair Richard Womack said. "These gun parts are here and they’re in our communities. If this ordinance helps save one life, it’s worth doing."

Ghost guns are made from parts —often 3D printed and available in mail-order kits —that have no serial number and can be assembled in minutes.

"The introduction of this ordinance provoked threats of litigation from the gun lobby. Over the last three months, we have seen organizations and institutions acting out of fear," Delaware County Council member Christine Reuther said. "Sometimes you have to take a stand. I’m proud of my colleagues for introducing this measure, and I’m proud to support it."

"Or laws have to evolve with technology," Delaware County Council member Kevin Madden said. "There is a huge difference between someone with a mental health crisis carrying a musket and one with an automatic weapon that can fire hundreds of rounds per minute. We have a moral responsibility to do what we can to keep our community safe as new threats arise."