There is a staggering spike in weapons known as "ghost guns" linked to crimes in Onondaga County.

And now, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is pushing for change.

On Monday, he made a visit to Onondaga County to announce that he would be asking the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco and Firearms to change the definition of a firearm.

Right now, the two federal agencies don't recognize frames, receivers and other parts of guns as firearms, which means people can buy these parts and assemble a gun at home without registering it.

The senator wants these parts to be federally recognized as firearms. As he puts it, it’s only a change in definition.

"Someone brought it up to them a few years ago and they didn't do it but now we're making a big push," Schumer said.

Schumer says he's also urging the agencies to share information with local law enforcement.

He said he's confident the changes will happen and likely within the next few months.