Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after a gun and suppressor were found in his possession. The gun used in the shooting was believed to be a “ghost gun” assembled with a 3D printer. Mangione is facing multiple charges related to the shooting, including forgery, carrying a firearm without a license, tampering with records, possessing instruments of crime, and false identification to law enforcement.
In addition to the charges in Pennsylvania, Mangione was expected to face a homicide charge in New York. The arrest and murder of Thompson come after the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a “Ghost Gun” bill aiming to ban homemade and 3D-printed firearms in the state. If approved by the state Senate and governor, the bill would make it a third-degree felony to sell or transfer any firearm parts without a serial number registered with a federal firearms licensee.
The proliferation of “ghost guns” in violent crimes has become a significant issue, according to lawmakers. Reps. Morgan Cephas and Malcolm Kenyatta expressed concerns about the rising use of these untraceable firearms, leading to fatal consequences for both law enforcement and communities. Mangione’s arrest highlights the need for legislation to address the growing problem of homemade and unregistered firearms in Pennsylvania and beyond.
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