HOW TO BUILD A GHOST GUN (HANDGUN)
How did that shooter in Sacramento get an automatic gun? What is a ghost gun?
I am not a criminal so I did not know ANY of this until today when a LEO explained it to me. Like I was 5.
ANYONE can buy a Glock knock-off handgun ONLINE (it is called a Polymer80 or a P80) and get it sent to him in the mail. It is allowed because it comes as an 80% complete setup, not a functioning firearm.
For example here: https://www.80-lower.com/polymer80/. There are other sites.
In the same box, however, you can have them send you the kit with all the parts to FINISH the 'build'. This includes the proper drill bit and all the yet-to-be-assembled pieces. They even have instructions and videos on how to do this: https://www.80-lower.com/80-lower-blog/how-to-cut-drill-and-finish-a-p80-frame/
Drill the holes, put things together, etc. and you have a FUNCTIONING handgun identical to a Glock except a few cosmetic differences.
Now at this time to be legal you should get a serial number from the DOJ and engrave it on the handgun. Many don't of course.
So how does this become an automatic? Well, you can easily purchase the three small parts necessary to change it from a semi-auto to a full auto. LEO told me people simply go to https://www.wish.com/ and order it. It comes in from China. (He also said Customs is growing wise to the deal and if you order one to be delivered to your house and you receive the package, a warrant could be issued and you could have LEO visitors soon.) Or you can get them elsewhere or make the parts yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXUdUhAr7xM. They are sometimes called “Glock switches”.
How does it work? The device operates by applying force to the trigger bar to prevent it from limiting the weapon to firing only one round each time the trigger is depressed.
Final result:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzlbamEu_xs
What happens if you get caught with a Glock switch? If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
That is how shooters like the Sacramento shooters get automatic pistols.