'Ghost guns' becoming increasing problem in Philadelphia Ghost guns becoming increasing issue in Philadelphia Police say ghost guns are easy to assemble, untraceable handguns that are popping up at crime scenes and on street corners all over Philadelphia. PHILADELPHIA - President Joe Biden is taking action against so-called ghost guns. Guns that can be built through kits that are hard to trace and do not require background checks. Police say these easy to assemble, untraceable handguns are popping up at crime scenes and on street corners all over Philadelphia. "These ghost guns, they're a real issue for us down here in South Philly," South Detectives Captain James Kearney said.