Untraceable Ghost Guns: How NYC's Queens DA is Fighting the Threat of 3D Printed Firearms | with Melinda Katz and Marc Beckman

Melinda Katz became the District Attorney for Queens County in January 2020, making history as the first woman to hold the office.

Under her leadership, the District Attorney’s office ensures that all defendants are treated fairly and in a non-discriminatory manner, while protecting the communities it serves in the most diverse county in America. District Attorney Katz restructured the office with new bureaus and mandates to manage challenges including taking guns off the street, empowering victims of domestic violence and human trafficking and seeking justice even in the oldest of cold cases.

Shanon LaCorte has extensive work experience in the legal field. Shanon is currently working as the Bureau Chief of the Crime Strategies & Intelligence Bureau at the Queens District Attorney's Office since July 2023. Prior to this, they held the role of Director of the Crime Strategies & Intelligence Unit from May 2021 to July 2023.

Before joining the Queens District Attorney's Office, Shanon worked at the Office of the New York State Attorney General. Shanon served as the Special Counsel for the Statewide Organized Crime Task Force from April 2016 to May 2021. Prior to that, they were an Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Enforcement & Financial Crimes Bureau from October 2014 to March 2016.

Shanon's earlier work experience includes working as an Assistant District Attorney at the Nassau County District Attorney's Office from January 2011 to October 2014. Prior to that, they worked as an Associate in the Litigation Department at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP from September 2007 to August 2010.

Shanon LaCorte obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Government from Union College between 2000 and 2004. Subsequently, they attended American University Washington College of Law from 2004 to 2007 and earned a Doctor of Law degree (JD).

 What are ghost guns and why should you be concerned?

The United States ranks first in the world when it comes to firearms ownership with 400 million guns that we know of. Guns Incorporated is big business in the United States valued at almost 21 billion dollars with more than five percent annual growth. This will be disrupted by 3D printed guns imminently.

2024 has already seen a more than 1000 percent increase in 3D printed firearm recoveries in New York City. Queens County leads New York City in ghost gun recoveries. Their impressive leadership has implemented forward looking techniques to limit the flow of 3D printed machine guns, assault weapons, mines, bombs, and bullets in New York City. 

In this episode, District Attorney Melinda Katz and Bureau Chief Shanon LaCorte join us to talk about the growing of ghost guns and 3D printed firearms and they are working toward keeping these guns of the street.

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Episode Links:
Melinda Katz

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindakatz/
Website: https://www.katzforny.com/

Shanon LaCorte
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanon-lacorte-921324210/

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