2021-2022: Jim Desmond Voted Twice Against Advancing An Ordinance Prohibiting Ghost Guns, Which Allowed People To Buy Kits To Assemble Firearms At Home

2022: Desmond Voted Against An Ordinance Prohibiting The Creation And Distribution Of Ghost Guns

2022: Desmond Voted Against Approving An Ordinance Prohibiting The Creation And Distribution Of Ghost Guns. “The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 Tuesday to approve an ordinance requiring safe firearm storage and prohibiting the distribution or creation of untraceable ‘ghost guns’ in the county. Board Chairman Nathan Fletcher and Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer backed the proposal last October, and they were joined Tuesday by Supervisor Nora Vargas in support of the measure. Supervisors Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond were opposed.” [NBC 7, 1/11/22]

  • The Ordinance Updated Firearm Definitions, Prohibited 3D Printing Of Firearm Parts, And Required Safe Storage Of Firearms. “The county ordinance will: • Update definitions regarding firearms to include unserialized ghost guns and parts; • Prohibit the possession or distribution of parts without serial numbers that are used in the creation or possession of ghost guns; • Prohibit 3D printing of firearms or parts; and • Require the safe storage of firearms.” [NBC 7, 1/11/22]
  • Omaha World Herald: “Ghost Guns Are Kits That People Can Buy Online And Assemble Into Firearms.” “Ghost guns are kits that people can buy online and assemble into firearms. They don’t have serial numbers nor require background checks, or generate records transfers that allow guns to be traced. The ordinance passed Tuesday makes it illegal to possess the unfinished pieces or to manufacture a firearm from a ghost gun kit from a frame that does not have serial number.” [Omaha World Herald, 11/1/23]
  • Ghost Guns Lacked Serial Numbers And Were Typically Assembled From Homemade Components. “Ghost guns are unregulated firearms that lack serial numbers by which they can be identified and are typically assembled from purchased or homemade components. Minors or those normally prohibited from owning firearms can purchase such a weapon without a background check.” [NBC 7, 1/11/22]

Desmond Said He Opposed Ghost Guns Because They Were A Danger To Society, But He Said Such Weapons Were Already Illegal. “Desmond said that while he opposed ghost guns because they're a danger to society, such weapons are already illegal. When it comes to requiring a serial number for every part of a gun, ‘the good guys are gonna do that,’ Desmond said. ‘The bad guys won't.’ Desmond added that California has safe-storage laws, and said there are some 300,000 laws that cover firearms nationwide. He said he wanted an annual report on how the ordinance is working, including if it results in any accidental deaths.” [NBC 7, 1/11/22]

Desmond: “Let’s See If This Local Ordinance Makes A Difference In Taking Guns Away From The Bad Guys.” “‘Let's see if this local ordinance makes a difference in taking guns away from the bad guys,’ Desmond said.” [NBC 7, 1/11/22]

2021: Desmond Voted Against Developing An Ordinance On Ghost Guns

2021: Desmond Voted Against Developing An Ordinance On “Ghost Guns.” “The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 3-2 in favor of developing an ordinance on so-called ‘ghost guns’ countywide, including banning possession or distribution of non-serial-numbered parts used to build them. […] Board Chairman Nathan Fletcher and Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, who proposed the formal ordinance, voted in favor along with Supervisor Nora Vargas. Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond voted no.” [KPBS, 10/19/21]

  • The Proposed Ordinance Would Ban Possession Or Distribution Of Non-Serial-Numbered Parts Used To Build Ghost Guns. “The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 3-2 in favor of developing an ordinance on so-called ‘ghost guns’ countywide, including banning possession or distribution of non-serial-numbered parts used to build them. Supervisors also directed Helen Robbins-Meyer, the county's chief administrative officer, to return within 90 days with a draft ordinance that would also prohibit the 3D printing of unserialized firearms or precursor parts, and establish safe storage requirements for county gun owners.” [KPBS, 10/19/21]
  • Ghost Guns Were Homemade Firearms That Did Not Have Commercial Serial Numbers. “Ghost guns, also known as ‘do-it-yourself guns,’ are homemade, personally manufactured firearms that do not have commercial serial numbers.” [KPBS, 10/19/21]

Desmond Said The Proposed Ordinance Was “Just Putting Another Law On Top Of Another Law.” “Desmond said that ghost guns are already illegal, and the proposed county ordinance ‘is just putting another law on top of another law.’ He also noted that people can already purchase guns online.” [KPBS, 10/19/21]

Source report (PDF)