Imagine walking down a quiet block in your neighborhood. The houses look like any other: front porches, mailboxes, maybe a swing set in the yard or bikes in the driveway. What you don’t see is that one of those homes may be licensed by the federal government’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to manufacture guns. No storefront, no real reason to look twice — just a license that unlocks sweeping privileges unavailable to private citizens.
In 2022, over 220 Illinois residents held a Type 07 federal firearms license to manufacture guns. But the vast majority of these “ghost manufacturers” don’t produce any firearms, with more than 80% of Illinois license holders reporting they didn’t build a single gun. Of those who did, many made only a handful — 10 or fewer. On paper, they’re “manufacturers.” In reality, the license can be used to exploit privileges citizens don’t have: buying guns in bulk via common carrier and at discount, skipping background checks for these purchases and even building weapons banned from civilian possession — like new fully automatic machine guns.
This isn’t a uniquely Illinois problem — it’s a national one. Since the 1970s, the number of federal manufacturing licenses has skyrocketed by more than 5,500%: from 364 in 1975 to 20,566 in 2024. What was once a rare designation is now disturbingly common. Nationwide, so-called “kitchen table” gun makers operate out of homes and unrelated businesses, invisible to neighbors and possibly unknown to regulators.
Illinois, to its credit, has worked to get ahead of the curve. In 2019, it enacted tougher requirements for gun manufacturers and dealers, including background checks, surveillance cameras, electronic inventory systems and mandatory training. Then in 2022, it banned ghost guns. These standards make Illinois a leader in confronting an uncomfortable truth: A federal licensing system meant to regulate gun manufacturing is being quietly abused, potentially placing communities at risk.
But even with these protections, Illinois still faces a growing threat. At the federal level, oversight is shrinking. Only about 5% of all Federal Firearms License holders are inspected annually, and severe budget cuts are decimating the ranks of ATF compliance inspectors. The message from Washington, D.C., is clear: States are on their own.
That’s why Illinois matters. The state has already shown it’s possible to raise standards and push back against legal gray areas that allow the federal firearms license to be exploited for personal use. But unless policymakers double down, and federal leaders step up, Illinois’ gains could erode. The gun manufacturers next door will remain hidden, until tragedy makes them visible.
Josh Sugarmann, executive director, Violence Policy Center
Perfect tribute to a Chicago talent
I want to commend Neil Steinberg for his column on artist Tony Fitzpatrick.
Though I never met Mr. Fitzpatrick, I had become somewhat familiar with him through his accomplishments. I also had learned more about him from my friend Joe Thornhill. Joe told me how he met Tony at concerts. Eventually, they started talking, and Joe became Tony’s dentist. They also became friends. Joe told me a number of experiences he had with Tony at art shows, social gatherings and neighborhood drives.
Mr. Steinberg captured the essence of the man in his tribute to Tony by describing the life of a complex, talented, generous, yet very simple man.
Rick Kalin, Belmont Heights