NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The ghost gun market is making U.S. neighborhoods a lot less safer, and the same applies for some communities here in Hampton Roads.

Ali Muhammad, 33, was senselessly murdered one year ago in Norfolk. Activist Bilal Muhammad and wife Cynthia believe a homemade firearm was linked to their son’s death.

Jalen Garces, 28, has been charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony—first offense in connection to Muhammad’s death.

“For whatever type of weapon, you can’t connect that sale with that weapon because there’s no connection with serial numbers,” Bilal Muhammad said.

Amidst Bilal Muhammad speaking out against ghost guns, the Biden administration is working to regulate unserialized firearms by putting in place the same requirements as commercially made guns. But the community activist feels there should not be any kind of access to firearms made privately by individuals, even if they do become registered.

“How could you support something that is harming the community, that’s bringing more crime in the community,” Bilal Muhammad said. “We’re talking people’s lives. So go through the proper channel, purchase a gun from the gun shop, go to a gun show and show your proper identity.”

Here in the Commonwealth, a law went into effect July 1 that makes possession of any firearm with a removed serial number, with the exception of antiques, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and selling a firearm without a serial number a felony.

“That is a big plus,” Muhammad said. “And that law should be a strong force to help bring more restrictions on use of soliciting guns and utilizing ghost guns in the community.”

A motion’s hearing for Ali Muhammad’s murder will be held Oct. 22. A jury trial is scheduled to start March 3.