Dexter Taylor

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Dexter Taylor is a software engineer from Bushwick, Brooklyn, who was sentenced to ten years in prison in 2024.[1][2] He was convicted of weapons charges related to the possession and manufacture of unlicensed firearms, often described as ghost guns.[3] His case has gained attention from gun rights advocates who believe this case has implications for Second Amendment rights.[4][5]

Background

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Taylor, prior to his conviction, worked in the tech industry as a software engineer and was interested in building firearms from home as a hobby. Prior to his conviction, he had no criminal record or violent history.[5] Taylor claimed he believed he was engaging in constitutionally protected activity under the Second Amendment.[4]

Arrest and trial

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In 2022, New York authorities raided Taylor's Bushwick apartment and discovered more than a dozen unlicensed firearms, including AR-15-style rifles, semiautomatic pistols, large amounts of ammunition, and equipment for manufacturing guns.[6] Taylor was indicted on multiple weapons charges. In 2024, he was convicted on two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, five counts of criminal possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of pistol ammunition, and violating the prohibition on unfinished frames or receivers.[2] Prosecutors argued that his collection of untraceable weapons posed a danger to public safety, while Taylor and his defense maintained that he was engaging in constitutionally protected activity without intent to cause harm.[7][4]

Reactions

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Taylor was sentenced to ten years in prison. The severity of the punishment sparked debate across media and legal circles.[4] Some criticized the sentence as disproportionate, suggesting that Taylor's case illustrated how complex gun laws can criminalize ordinary individuals rather than prevent violence.[3][5] Taylor's friends have stated that, “he a tinkerer, a software engineer, electronic music composer and amateur TikTok philosopher who made guns as a hobby,” and that, “he doesn’t belong behind bars.”[1]

Advocates for stricter gun control, however, pointed to the risks posed by unlicensed weapons that are untraceable.[8] Media coverage, including from WNYC, framed Taylor's prosecution as emblematic of the broader conflict between state efforts to curb ghost guns and concerns about civil liberties.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Unlicensed Bushwick gunmaker serving 10 years for his 'hobby' blurs the gun rights debate | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News". WNYC. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  2. ^ a b Abruzzese, Rob (2024-05-14). "Bushwick man gets 10 years for ghost gun arsenal that cost him $40,000". Brooklyn Eagle. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  3. ^ a b Binion, Billy (2024-05-15). "He was sentenced to a decade in prison for having unlicensed weapons". Reason.com. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  4. ^ a b c d "New York City man convicted of possessing ghost guns maintains he had every right to have them - CBS New York". www.cbsnews.com. 2024-10-22. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  5. ^ a b c Leonard, Brady (2024-05-16). "Free Dexter Taylor - Washington Examiner". Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government. Archived from the original on 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  6. ^ Quinn, Anna (2022-04-22). "'Massive Arsenal' Of Ghost Guns Found In Brooklyn Man's Home: DA". Bed-Stuy, NY Patch. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  7. ^ "Brooklyn man gets 10 years for arsenal of ghost guns, including rifles, found at home". NBC New York. 2024-05-13. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  8. ^ "Ghost Gun Bust Reveals 'Arsenal' at NYC Apartment: Prosecutors". NBC New York. 2022-04-22. Retrieved 2025-09-07.