Sales of a machine that allows people to make their own AR-15 rifles soared in the aftermath of the Florida shooting that put semi-automatic weapons in the crosshairs of Americans and some lawmakers, the Washington Examiner reported.
Defense Distributed founder Cody Wilson told the Examiner that sales of his Ghost Gunner auto-milling machine doubled in February, and he sold another 200 the first week of March, matching a typical month.
Wilson told the Examiner that there are an estimated 25,000-30,000 AR-15s in circulation, thanks to his Ghost Gunner, which costs $1,675.
"This is a machine that allows you to make a ton of ARs, and people actually do it. I'm shocked. It's like an obsession for some people," Wilson told the Examiner. "I think it's very, very good that someone can make 12 ARs for themselves. That's a real political capability."
The Ghost Gunner can be purchased without permission, the Examiner reports.
"Wilson's Ghost Gunner exploits a loophole in gun control laws that require federally licensed dealers to conduct background checks on people who purchase AR-15 lower receivers, but only when the part is more than 80 percent complete. Lower receivers house an AR-15's trigger and magazine port," reports the Examiner's Steven Nelson.
Wilson told the Examiner that about a third of his buyers are from California, and that a third of his buyers never actually use the Ghost Gunner. Those buyers have it for future use, just in case.
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