Several families of victims in Philadelphia's Kingsessing 2023 mass shooting are suing a firearms retailer, accusing it of selling "ghost gun" components to the alleged shooter.

The big picture: Ghost guns — untraceable firearms that are unregistered and privately assembled via a kit or with a 3D printer — account for a significant portion of the guns seized in Philadelphia that are used in crimes, police have said.

• The lawsuits aim to hold Indiana-based 80-Lower accountable for sales practices that the families say make it easy to evade state-mandated background checks and other safety regulations.

Driving the news: Four of the five victims' families have filed lawsuits in Philadelphia court in recent weeks against 80-Lower; its parent company, Tactical Gear Heads; and Chad Myers, who is listed as the owner of both businesses.

• They allege that the retailer "negligently entrusted" gun parts to Kimbrady Carriker — who authorities accuse of opening fire on people in the Southwest Philadelphia neighborhood with an AR-15-style rifle.
• The suits name Carriker as a defendant and assert that he purchased a receiver from the company before the shooting spree.
• The families are seeking unspecified damages.

Catch up quick: Carriker is charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and weapons offenses in the 2023 shooting. His case is still pending, and his attorneys have indicated they are likely to put on an insanity defense at trial.

• Carriker had a previous state firearms conviction and couldn't own a gun under Pennsylvania law, per the lawsuits.

What they're saying: 80-Lower "created a way for a convicted criminal such as Kimbrady Carriker to circumvent the protections, laws and rules," Marie Merritt, the mother of 22-year-old victim Lashyd Merritt, alleges in the lawsuit.

The other side: Myers didn't respond to Axios' requests for comment by phone and email.

Zoom in: The lawsuits allege 80-Lower intentionally markets its products to people looking to evade background checks and recorded purchases.

• The complaints cite an advertisement that says, "Free men don't ask for permission. Built not bought."

Between the lines: Gun sellers and manufacturers are typically immune under federal law from lawsuits brought against them for crimes committed by people who purchased their firearms, says attorney Shanin Specter of Kline & Specter, a law firm that filed two of the lawsuits.

• But arguing the gun seller negligently entrusted Carriker with the firearms parts could allow the families to pierce the immunity and prevail in court, Specter tells Axios.

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Pennsylvania homeowners spend an average of $17,162 a year on upkeep and other "hidden expenses," per a Bankrate study.

Why it matters: Overlooked costs, beyond mortgage payments, can surprise unprepared homeowners.

By the numbers: Across the U.S., the average annual cost of owning a single-family home is $21,400 this year.

• That sum includes property taxes, insurance, utilities/energy, internet/cable and maintenance.

Zoom in: East and West Coast states — where home values and property taxes run high — usually see the highest "hidden" homeownership costs, per the analysis.

• Costs are generally lower in Southern and Midwestern states.

The big picture: Inflation and "the nation's aging housing stock" have pushed annual maintenance costs to roughly $8,800, the steepest expense Bankrate tracked.

• Meanwhile, more frequent natural disasters, plus mounting costs to rebuild homes after, have hiked insurance costs.

The bottom line: "Buying is just the beginning," researchers wrote in the report. "The squeeze on wallets intensifies after one becomes a homeowner."

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🍽️ The chefs behind the popular My Loup and Her Place Supper Club are opening a third restaurant in Fitler Square by the end of the year. No deets yet on the menu. (Inquirer 🔒)

⚽ FIFA has begun offering single-game hospitality packages to next year's World Cup in Philadelphia and other U.S. cities. Prices start at $1,450 for Philly matches.

🧹 PATCO has begun conducting safety and maintenance service on its system. Weekday overnight service will be curtailed, and some stations will be temporarily closed between midnight-4:30am, per the transit agency.

Philadelphians are skeptical about self-driving cars coming here.

The big picture: A majority — 70% — of roughly 160 readers said autonomous vehicles wouldn't survive in the city, per Axios Philadelphia's unofficial poll.

Catch up quick: Waymo robotaxis (with a human driver) are cruising on Philadelphia streets this summer.

• Yes but: They're not picking up riders. The company's fleet of Jaguar i-Pace EVs is closed to the public.

What you're saying: Here are readers' takes on the tech coming to Philly:

👎 Doubters

• Philly can't have nice things. I'm sure someone will throw one into the Schuylkill River.
• Remember Hitchbot?? RIP

👍 Believers

• It will reduce traffic jams. It should be mandatory in Philly.
• It'll offer another great option for commuters.

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President Trump and U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick will unveil $70 billion in AI and energy investments for the state in Pittsburgh today.

• The inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University aims to ignite "Pennsylvania's incredible potential to power the AI revolution," McCormick says.

The big picture: In addition to Trump, energy and AI leaders from around the world, including over 60 CEOs, will be there.

Zoom in: Investments are expected to include new data centers, new power generation and grid infrastructure to meet surging data center demand, along with thousands of new jobs, AI training programs and apprenticeships for businesses.

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