H.R. 2698 — Bolstering Security Against Ghost Guns Act

This section establishes a new section 890E of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to bolster security against threats posed by ghost guns (i.e., unserialized firearms often assembled from kits or 3D-printed parts). Specifically, it requires (1) the Secretary, through the Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, to issue a department-wide strategy within one year of enactment identifying DHS activities and intergovernmental collaboration on ghost guns; (2) the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to develop a cross-border threat assessment on U.S.-sourced ghost guns within 180 days; (3) the U.S. Secret Service Director to conduct research and issue public reports on preventing ghost gun threats within one year; (4) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator to report annually to congressional committees starting one year after enactment on firearm violations at screening checkpoints, including those involving ghost guns and expedited screening; (5) the ICE Director, through Homeland Security Investigations, to analyze U.S.-sourced firearms recovered in Mexico, develop information-sharing mechanisms, and create performance measures within one year; and (6) the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis to issue annual reports starting 180 days after enactment assessing ghost gun threats linked to foreign terrorist organizations or acts of terrorism or targeted violence.