Published on Mar. 10, 2026
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Long Beach police have arrested a 74-year-old man, James William Higgins, and seized 30 firearms, 12 of which were unserialized, during the execution of a search warrant related to a December 2024 shooting incident. Higgins has been booked on charges including discharging a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, assault with a firearm, and manufacturing or assembling an unregistered firearm.
Why it matters
The seizure of a large cache of firearms, including untraceable “ghost guns”, from a shooting suspect highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in addressing gun violence and illegal firearm possession, especially among individuals with a history of violent behavior.
The details
On March 6, 2026, Long Beach gang detectives, with the assistance of patrol officers, arrested James William Higgins, a 74-year-old Long Beach resident, after serving a search warrant at his residence. During the search, detectives recovered 30 firearms, 12 of which were unserialized, along with a large quantity of ammunition. The arrest and firearm seizure were related to a shooting incident that occurred on December 18, 2024, where a dispute between the drivers of two vehicles escalated and one driver fired multiple rounds at the other vehicle, striking a nearby residential building but causing no injuries.
The shooting incident took place on December 18, 2024.Higgins was arrested on March 6, 2026.
The players
James William Higgins
A 74-year-old Long Beach resident who was arrested in connection with the December 2024 shooting incident and had dozens of firearms, including untraceable “ghost guns”, seized from his residence.
Long Beach Police Department
The law enforcement agency that arrested Higgins and seized the firearms during the execution of a search warrant related to the 2024 shooting incident.
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What they’re saying
“Higgins was booked for discharging a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, assault with a firearm, manufacturing or assembling an unregistered firearm, and manufacturing or causing to be manufactured an assault weapon.”
— Long Beach Police Department spokesperson (Patch.com)
What’s next
The case is being presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in addressing gun violence and the proliferation of untraceable “ghost guns”, which can be easily assembled from parts and lack serial numbers, making them difficult to trace. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of existing laws and regulations in preventing individuals with a history of violent behavior from obtaining and possessing firearms.