Yes and being able to buy "disposable" phones is one of the reasons the US is vulnerable to untraceable terrorists.
Here in Belize our sim cards are registered to an owner - and I believe that the phone devices themselves will be registered to an owner too soon. This means that there is a starting point for authorities to begin a search in cases where criminal activity is suspected. This should help them to quickly track down and apprehend kidnappers, terrorists, drug dealers etc. Sure we have to give up some of our "rights to privacy," but I have nothing to hide so it doesn't bother me. And it might end up protecting me and my family.