Ghost guns are untraceable, DIY firearms assembled from kits or unfinished parts.
No serial numbers or background checks make them appealing to prohibited buyers.
Easy to build with basic tools and minimal skill.
Ghost gun crimes surged —over 19,000 recovered in 2021 alone.
2022 ATF rule reclassified kits as firearms, requiring serialization and dealer sales.
Several states and cities have enacted additional bans and tracking laws.
Bills like the Ghost Guns Act aim to ban unregulated sales nationwide.
Supreme Court case may determine the future of federal ghost gun regulations.
Ghost guns have become a critical topic in discussions about firearm regulation and public safety.
These untraceable firearms, often assembled from kits or components, have raised questions about their legality, accessibility, and potential dangers.
This article delves into what ghost guns are, their implications, and the efforts to regulate them.
What Are Ghost Guns?
Ghost guns are firearms that lack serial numbers, making them untraceable.
Typically, these guns are assembled using kits or unfinished components like frames or receivers that are not regulated under federal law until they are completed. Once assembled, ghost guns function like traditional firearms and can be just as lethal.
These firearms have appealed to individuals who wish to bypass background checks or firearm regulations, including those prohibited from owning guns. While ghost guns are not inherently illegal, their unregulated nature before assembly creates loopholes in existing gun laws.
Why Were Ghost Guns Historically Unregulated?
Frames and receivers—the core components of firearms that house the firing mechanism—are regulated under federal law. However, when these parts are sold in an unfinished state, they historically did not meet the legal definition of a firearm, allowing them to be sold without serial numbers, background checks, or dealer licenses. This regulatory gap meant:
No restrictions on who could buy ghost gun kits or parts.
No limitations on the quantity someone could purchase.
Circumvention of state-level regulations like age restrictions, waiting periods, and licensing.
This loophole contributed to the rise in ghost gun availability and usage in criminal activities.
How Easy Is It to Build a Ghost Gun?
Building a ghost gun requires minimal technical skill. Kits often include all necessary components, templates, and instructions.
Tools like a drill or drill press are usually sufficient to complete an unfinished frame or receiver. Reports suggest that assembling a ghost gun can take less than an hour, making them accessible to almost anyone.
Why Are Ghost Guns Controversial?
The controversy surrounding ghost guns stems from their untraceable nature and accessibility. Law enforcement agencies report significant increases in ghost gun recoveries at crime scenes.
Between 2016 and 2021, ghost gun recoveries increased by over 1,000%, with more than 19,000 recovered in 2021 alone. Their use in violent crimes, including homicides and mass shootings, has drawn national attention.
Ghost guns undermine gun laws by allowing individuals to bypass background checks and other legal safeguards. Critics argue that this creates significant risks to public safety and hampers law enforcement’s ability to solve crimes.
What Efforts Have Been Made to Regulate Ghost Guns?
In August 2022, the Biden administration enacted a rule requiring ghost gun kits and some components to be serialized, sold by licensed dealers, and subject to background checks. This rule aimed to:
Classify ghost gun kits as firearms under federal law.
Ensure that unfinished frames and receivers meet the same regulatory standards as completed firearms.
Reduce the availability of untraceable firearms in the market.
How Are States and Localities Addressing Ghost Guns?
Several states and cities have implemented additional measures to regulate ghost guns. These include banning the manufacture, sale, and possession of unserialized frames and receivers.
States like California, New York, and Maryland have enacted laws to close loopholes and enhance tracking of firearms.
Cities like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., have also passed ordinances to combat the spread of ghost guns.
What Federal Legislation Has Been Proposed?
Two notable bills addressing ghost guns include:
The Ghost Guns and Untraceable Firearms Act : Introduced in 2023, this bill aims to define ghost guns under federal law and ban their manufacture, sale, and possession.
The 3D Printed Gun Safety Act : This bill seeks to prohibit the distribution of blueprints for 3D-printed firearms, preventing the unregulated production of ghost guns using 3D printers.
How Do Ghost Guns Affect Public Safety?
Ghost guns pose several risks:
Increased Crime: Their untraceable nature makes them appealing to criminals.
Youth Accessibility: Without background checks, minors can acquire components.
Law Enforcement Challenges: The lack of serial numbers complicates crime investigations and gun tracking.
What Are the Legal Challenges to Ghost Gun Regulations?
The 2022 ATF rule on ghost guns has faced legal challenges from firearm manufacturers and advocacy groups. The Supreme Court case Garland v. VanDerStock is expected to address the validity of these regulations. The outcome could have significant implications for the federal government’s ability to regulate ghost guns.
The Author: Right To Bear Staff
We believe preparation starts with education. That’s why our team shares the practical knowledge, legal insight, and real-world guidance every gun owner deserves — before they ever need it.
Further Readings
→ The All New ATF Stabilizing Brace Rule and You [2025 Update]
Frequently Asked Questions About Ghost Guns
What Are Ghost Guns?
Ghost guns are untraceable firearms that lack serial numbers, making them difficult to track in traditional databases. These firearms are often assembled from kits or unfinished components and are not subject to the same regulations as factory-produced firearms until completed.
What Is a Ghost in the Context of Firearms?
In the firearms industry, a ghost refers to the untraceable nature of a firearm due to its lack of a serial number. These weapons are often referred to as ghost guns because they do not leave a traceable record, complicating law enforcement efforts to track their ownership or use.
How Are Guns Different From Ghost Guns?
Traditional guns are manufactured with serial numbers and are regulated under federal and state laws, requiring background checks and dealer licensing for purchases. Ghost guns , on the other hand, can be assembled privately and often bypass these regulations, making them untraceable and unregulated.
What Tools Are Needed to Build a Ghost Gun?
Building a ghost gun typically requires basic tools such as a drill, a drill press, and a few hand tools. Kits often include detailed instructions and templates, enabling individuals with minimal technical skills to assemble a fully functional firearm.
Why Are Ghost Guns Considered Dangerous Weapons?
Ghost guns are considered dangerous weapons because they are untraceable and accessible without background checks. This makes them appealing to individuals prohibited from owning firearms, such as convicted felons, and poses significant risks to public safety.
What Are Made Firearms and How Do They Relate to Ghost Guns?
Made firearms refer to firearms that are privately manufactured, often from kits or components. Many ghost guns fall under this category because they are assembled outside the traditional regulatory framework. These made firearms bypass the serialization and tracking that govern commercially produced firearms.
How Are Ghost Guns Regulated?
Efforts to regulate ghost guns have increased in recent years. Federal rules enacted in 2022 classify certain kits and components as firearms, requiring serialization, background checks, and sales through licensed dealers. These measures aim to ensure that ghost guns regulated meet the same standards as traditional firearms.
Are All Guns Regulated the Same Way?
No, not all guns are regulated equally. Traditional firearms are subject to stringent federal and state laws, including serialization and background checks. Ghost guns , until recently, operated outside these regulations, leading to increased scrutiny and new rules aimed at bringing them into compliance.
What Is the Brady Campaign’s Stance on Ghost Guns?
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence strongly advocates for stricter regulations on ghost guns . They view these untraceable firearms as a significant threat to public safety and support legislation to close loopholes that allow individuals to bypass standard gun control measures.
How Do Ghost Guns Differ From Traditional Firearms?
Traditional firearms are manufactured by licensed companies and include serial numbers for tracking purposes. In contrast, ghost guns are privately assembled and lack serialization, making them difficult to trace and easier to obtain without oversight.