紐時賞析／美阻「幽靈槍枝」擴散 新規成效甚微

槍枝示意圖。圖/ingimage

Rule Does Little to Stem Spread of ‘Ghost Guns’

美阻「幽靈槍枝」擴散新規成效甚微

President Joe Biden celebrated the adoption of a federal rule in August that cracked down on the online sale of untraceable components for weapons known as ghost guns as a major step in stemming gun violence. But the rule has done little to stop the sale of key parts used to make deadly homemade firearms, according to officials and gun control groups.

拜登總統讚揚8月實施的一項聯邦規定是遏制槍枝暴力的重要一步，該規定打擊網路銷售難以追蹤、被稱爲幽靈槍枝的武器零件。但官員與槍枝管制組織說，在阻止用來製造致命土製槍枝關鍵零件的銷售方面，該規定收效甚微。

The rule clarified the definition of a firearm under federal law to better regulate modern semi-automatic weapons. That in turn paved the way for regulating ready-made kits, which include all the parts needed to assemble a workable firearm in under an hour.

該規定闡明聯邦法律對槍枝的定義，以提高對現代半自動武器的管理。這因而也爲規範現成組裝套件鋪平道路，這些套件包括一把可用槍枝所需的全部零件，可在1小時內裝好。

The move was a centerpiece of the administration’s broader initiative to address the proliferation of illegal weapons driving an increase in mass shootings and violent crime — an effort highlighted by the passage of Biden’s sweeping, if limited, bipartisan gun deal in June. But because the rule was created through executive action, rather than a statute validated by Congress, it has given companies confidence that they can keep selling individual gun parts.

非法武器擴散導致大規模槍擊及暴力犯罪增加，政府這項舉動，是解決此問題更廣大計劃的核心，這一行動因拜登全面但有限的跨黨派槍枝政策6月通過而獲凸顯。但由於該規定是透過行政命令制定，並非國會批准的法令，讓業者有信心能夠繼續銷售個別的槍枝零件。

Dozens of online retailers are still selling core components used to make ghost guns, also known as privately manufactured firearms, according to research by Everytown for Gun Safety, an advocacy group founded by Michael Bloomberg, a former mayor of New York City. Many have adopted the narrowest possible interpretation of the rule, continuing to sell so-called 80% frames and receivers, which require simple alterations to become operational.

紐約市前市長彭博創立的倡議組織「艾弗頓槍枝安全組織」研究顯示，數十家線上零售商仍在販售核心零件用於製造幽靈槍枝，也被稱爲私人制造的槍枝。許多業者採用對該規定最狹隘的解釋，繼續銷售已經組裝8成的底座與機匣，這些東西僅需簡單改裝就能正常使用。

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the agency responsible for enforcing gun laws, has been reluctant to target vendors who sell those parts out of concern that doing so would prompt a legal backlash.

負責執行槍枝法律的聯邦菸酒槍砲及爆裂物管理局（ATF）一直不願針對銷售這些零件的供應商，擔心這樣做會引發法律上的強力反彈。

ATF officials have cautioned that pushing the limits of the rule with a range of other changes, such as requiring federally licensed firearms dealers to place serial numbers on homemade guns bought from do-it-yourself sellers, could jeopardize it entirely.

ATF官員警告，通過其他一系列改變來擴大該規定，如要求獲聯邦許可的槍枝經銷商向自制賣家購買的土製槍枝需標註序號，可能會徹底危及該規定。

The bureau, in consultation with senior leaders at the Justice Department, is hashing out a circular to clarify what the new rule means for the sale of components used to produce Glock-style pistols, the weapon of choice for many criminals seeking an untraceable firearm. The guidance is expected to be made public before the end of the year.

諮詢過司法部領導高層的聯邦菸酒槍砲及爆裂物管理局正擬定一份通告，以闡明新規定如何規範製作葛洛克式手槍的零件銷售。這是許多罪犯想擁有難以追蹤武器的首選。今年底前預計會發布指引。

文／Glenn Thrush　譯／陳韋廷