Think about strolling down a quiet block in your neighborhood. The homes appear like another: entrance porches, mailboxes, possibly a swing set within the yard or bikes within the driveway. What you don’t see is that a type of houses could also be licensed by the federal authorities’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to fabricate weapons. No storefront, no actual cause to look twice — only a license that unlocks sweeping privileges unavailable to non-public residents.
In 2022, over 220 Illinois residents held a Sort 07 federal firearms license to fabricate weapons. However the overwhelming majority of those “ghost producers” don’t produce any firearms, with greater than 80% of Illinois license holders reporting they didn’t construct a single gun. Of those that did, many made solely a handful — 10 or fewer. On paper, they’re “producers.” In actuality, the license can be utilized to take advantage of privileges residents don’t have: shopping for weapons in bulk by way of widespread service and at low cost, skipping background checks for these purchases and even constructing weapons banned from civilian possession — like new absolutely computerized machine weapons.
This isn’t a uniquely Illinois drawback — it’s a nationwide one. Because the Seventies, the variety of federal manufacturing licenses has skyrocketed by greater than 5,500%: from 364 in 1975 to twenty,566 in 2024. What was as soon as a uncommon designation is now disturbingly widespread. Nationwide, so-called “kitchen desk” gun makers function out of houses and unrelated companies, invisible to neighbors and presumably unknown to regulators.
Illinois, to its credit score, has labored to get forward of the curve. In 2019, it enacted harder necessities for gun producers and sellers, together with background checks, surveillance cameras, digital stock methods and necessary coaching. Then in 2022, it banned ghost weapons. These requirements make Illinois a frontrunner in confronting an uncomfortable reality: A federal licensing system meant to control gun manufacturing is being quietly abused, probably putting communities in danger.
However even with these protections, Illinois nonetheless faces a rising menace. On the federal stage, oversight is shrinking. Solely about 5% of all Federal Firearms License holders are inspected yearly, and extreme funds cuts are decimating the ranks of ATF compliance inspectors. The message from Washington, D.C., is obvious: States are on their very own.
That’s why Illinois issues. The state has already proven it’s potential to lift requirements and push again in opposition to authorized grey areas that enable the federal firearms license to be exploited for private use. However until policymakers double down, and federal leaders step up, Illinois’ good points might erode. The gun producers subsequent door will stay hidden, till tragedy makes them seen.
Josh Sugarmann, govt director, Violence Coverage Middle
Excellent tribute to a Chicago expertise
I wish to commend Neil Steinberg for his column on artist Tony Fitzpatrick.
Although I by no means met Mr. Fitzpatrick, I had turn out to be considerably aware of him by way of his accomplishments. I additionally had realized extra about him from my pal Joe Thornhill. Joe instructed me how he met Tony at live shows. Ultimately, they began speaking, and Joe grew to become Tony’s dentist. Additionally they grew to become pals. Joe instructed me a lot of experiences he had with Tony at artwork reveals, social gatherings and neighborhood drives.
Mr. Steinberg captured the essence of the person in his tribute to Tony by describing the lifetime of a posh, proficient, beneficiant, but quite simple man.
Rick Kalin, Belmont Heights
