Victorville ranked 8th in state for number of seized 'ghost guns'

Victorville ranked eighth in the state for the number of un-serialized 'ghost guns' seized by law enforcement last year, according to new data released by the California Department of Justice.

Authorities' recovered 168 of the untraceable weapons within the city in 2023, according to the DOJ's "Crime Guns in California" report.

Two other San Bernardino County cities made the list. San Bernardino was ranked fourth with 319 seized ghost guns, and Fontana was 10th with 132 guns, the data shows.

A total of 1,561 ghost guns were seized throughout San Bernardino County, exceeded only by Los Angeles County, where police confiscated 1,914 ghost guns.

The growing proliferation of un-serialized weapons, largely built from kits or 3D-printed parts, poses "a significant threat to the safety and security of our communities,” San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said.

"These untraceable firearms make it increasingly difficult for law enforcement to do their jobs and protect the public," he said. "We are committed to aggressively combating this issue and holding those who use these illegal weapons accountable while protecting the rights of lawful firearm owners."

Facing the threat 'head-on'

The increasing number of ghost gun seizures corresponds with a growing national trend of such weapons being used in crimes and attacks on law enforcement officers, according to San Bernardino Police Chief Darren Goodman.

"The increase in ghost guns directly correlates with the rise in violent crime we are witnessing. Our officers are on the front lines daily, facing these threats head-on. We must address this problem with the seriousness it deserves," he said.

Fontana Police Chief Michael Dorsey said the trend demonstrates "a clear and present danger to our community."

"These firearms are being used in crimes with alarming frequency, and we must take strong, decisive action to stem the tide of this growing menace," he said.

The problem of easy access to ghost guns is compounded by "minimal penalties" for felons caught in possession of firearms, San Bernardino County sheriff's officials said in an written statement.

"Law-abiding citizens are increasingly subjected to stringent regulations and scrutiny, while those with criminal intent exploit these legal loopholes," the statement said. "This disparity not only undermines public safety but also places undue burdens on responsible firearm owners who follow the law."

Many of the ghost guns recovered by deputies in San Bernardino County were found during law enforcement raids under the county's "Operation Consequences" crime suppression program.

The multi-agency effort focuses on enforcement operations targeting convicted felons, documented gang members and others who are prohibited from owning guns under state law.

Since its inception in October 2022, the campaign has resulted in the seizure of 2,194 guns, 214 pounds of fentanyl and 3,051 pounds of methamphetamine, along with 1,312 felony arrests, law enforcement officials said.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors reauthorized $3 million in funding last month for specialized law enforcement services, including Operation Consequences.