New York state and New York City Wednesday sued 10 distributors of gun components to stop the sale of illegal “ghost guns.” New York Attorney General Letitia James filed the lawsuit in New York Supreme Court’s Commercial Division.

The lawsuit states that gun violence is causing a “public health and safety crisis” in New York. It also says “Defendants’ ghost guns have harmed Now York and will continue to do so if unabated.” The suit alleges that the distributors sold thousands of illegal, unfinished frames and receivers to New Yorkers that were then converted into unserialized, untraceable firearms, known as ghost guns.

The complaint sets forth several claims eligible for relief. These include: selling and shipping unfinished frames and receivers, aiding and abetting the possession of firearms by convicted persons, aiding and abetting the possession of firearms by unlicensed persons, and creation of a public nuisance by a gun industry member. For the public nuisance claim, James is invoking a New York public nuisance statute passed in July 2021. This statute allows the New York Attorney General to enjoin and restrain violators and obtain restitution and damages.

James stated:

There should be no more immunity for gun distributors bringing harm and havoc to New York. Today’s lawsuit holds 10 gun sellers accountable for fueling the gun violence crisis and endangering New Yorkers. Illegal guns do not belong on our streets or in our communities and we will use every tool necessary to root them out.