In a shocking discovery, two brothers, Andrew Hatziagelis, 39, and Angelo Hatziagelis, 51, have been charged with 130 counts of various crimes, including criminal possession and sale of weapons, after a stockpile of 3D-printed guns, improvised explosives, anarchist propaganda, and a "hit list" of celebrities and authority figures was found at their family home in Astoria, Queens. The investigation into the brothers began after authorities received information that they were purchasing firearm parts and accessories to assemble illegal "ghost guns". Ghost guns are firearms that do not have a serial number, making them untraceable and easily acquired online. The anti-gun violence group Brady explains that "ghost gun kits" include all the necessary parts and equipment to build these weapons at home.

After obtaining a search warrant earlier this month, detectives discovered a wide array of weapons at the brothers' residence. Among the findings were two loaded AR-15-style ghost guns with detachable magazines, one AK-47-style ghost gun assault rifle, and four loaded 9mm semi-automatic ghost gun pistols, two of which were 3D-printed. Additionally, more than 600 rounds of ammunition were seized. The police also found a 3D printer and various tools used to assemble the ghost guns, as well as three sets of body armor and notebooks containing instructions on how to make explosives and anarchist propaganda.

The most alarming discovery was a handwritten "hit list" that mentioned cops, judges, politicians, celebrities, as well as "corporate scum" and “bankerscum”. The list included messages such as "wipe out the scum" and "wipe out the Earth". The authorities took the threat seriously and ordered the evacuation of the entire building on 36th Avenue, which is located opposite a power plant, due to concerns about the explosives.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz expressed relief that the weapons were seized, stating, "The city is safer. We cannot measure the number of lives that were saved, but we do know that these weapons will never hurt anyone." She also released an image of the handwritten "hit list" recovered by the police, emphasizing the seriousness of the brothers' intentions.

The brothers, who lived with their mother and another brother, neither of whom are facing charges, were indicted on 130 criminal charges. The charges include illegal weapon possession, reckless endangerment, criminal sale of a firearm, and unlawfully handling dangerous fireworks. If convicted, each brother could face up to 25 years in prison.

The case has drawn comparisons to the Boston Marathon bombing carried out by the Tsarnaev brothers in 2013. The discovery of the extensive arsenal and the brothers' anti-government and anti-society writings have raised concerns about their potential for violence. NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban called the cache of weapons "a potential to wreak horrendous carnage".

The Biden administration has been working to restrict the use of ghost guns, but an appeals court rejected a new regulation in November. The Hatziagelis brothers' case highlights the ongoing challenges in regulating and tracking these untraceable firearms. Authorities have been cracking down on ghost guns, with Queens having the highest number of recoveries in New York City.

The brothers are currently in custody and are scheduled to appear in court on February 15. The investigation and subsequent charges serve as a reminder of the potential dangers posed by homemade weapons and the importance of effective gun control measures.