Attorney General Dave Sunday — along with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and Abington Township and Philadelphia police departments — announce charges against a Philadelphia-based man for allegedly trafficking “ghost guns,” firearms without serial numbers.
Following a lengthy collaborative investigation, 25-year-old Zairre Hamlett was charged this week by Philadelphia police with six felonies, including illegal transfers of firearms. He was arraigned and bail was set at $600,000.
Investigators determined Hamlett conducted numerous illegal sales of firearms without serial numbers in and around Philadelphia. Investigators surveilled sales of five pistols (all ghost guns) since October, including two with illegal machine gun conversion switches.
During a search warrant at Hamlett’s Dauphin Street home, officials found other firearms, including a 3-D printed privately-made firearm, ammunition, and additional materials to print firearms at home.
“Ghost guns exist for criminals to avoid detection by law enforcement, and every one of these deadly weapons should be considered a direct threat to public safety,” Attorney General Sunday said. “This significant arrest, and the seizure of several firearms, do not happen without collaboration between local and federal partners committed to protecting Pennsylvanians who desire — and deserve — to live free and safe in their communities.”
