Released: April 3, 2025
New ordinance takes bold step to address gun violence, improve public safety
Delaware County, PA — Delaware County Council members last night took a bold, decisive step to improve public safety by passing Ordinance 2025-2, which bans deadly, untraceable ‘ghost gun’ parts and machine gun conversion devices. The measure—which passed unanimously—makes Delaware County the first county in Pennsylvania to ban these firearm parts, which have been associated with numerous violent crimes including the recent murder of the CEO of United Healthcare.
“As public officials, we have no higher duty than to protect public safety while preserving individual rights,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “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. Members of law enforcement in Philadelphia have reported a 4,600% increase in ghost gun recoveries from 2018 to 2022.
“In this country, guns are the number one cause of death of children,” said County Council member Elaine Paul Schaefer. “We are responsible for keeping people safe.”
Delaware County’s 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 takes effect 10 days after passage.
“I have had the unfortunate opportunity to come into contact with 4 ghost guns in my neighborhood over the last 6 months,” said Delaware County Council Vice-Chair Richard Womack. “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 3-D 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,” said Delaware County Council member Christine Reuther. “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,” said Delaware County Council member Kevin Madden. “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.”