ATF Rule 2021 R-05F
What It Does
Ghost guns are do-it-yourself, homemade guns, produced with simple building blocks available online. In May 2021, the federal government proposed a rule that would finally clarify that these parts qualify as traditional firearms, and must be sold with serial numbers and background checks. Several states have also acted, including with requirements that all ghost guns must be reported to officials. The strongest laws also regulate the spread of guns that can be made with 3-D printers.
The Impact
More than 2,500 ghost guns were connected to criminal activity in 114 cases in the past decade. In California, these guns make up over 30% of all crime gun recoveries.
Ghost Guns Regulated
| Policy adopted? | What does the state law require? |
|---|---|
| Alabama | — |
| Alaska | — |
| Arizona | — |
| Arkansas | — |
| California | Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, all ghost guns must be reported to officials. |
| Colorado | — |
| Connecticut | Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, all ghost guns must be reported to officials, no plastic undetectable guns. |
| Delaware | Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, no plastic undetectable guns, no 3D printing of guns, no distribution of 3D printing instructions. |
| Florida | — |
| Georgia | — |
| Hawaii | Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, all ghost guns must be reported to officials, no 3D printing of guns. |
| Idaho | — |
| Illinois | Serial numbers and background checks for all firearms and component parts. |
| Indiana | — |
| Iowa | — |
| Kansas | — |
| Kentucky | — |
| Louisiana | — |
| Maine | — |
| Maryland | Serial numbers and background checks for all firearms and component parts. All ghost guns must be reported to officials. |
| Massachusetts | No plastic undetectable guns |
| Michigan | — |
| Minnesota | — |
| Mississippi | — |
| Missouri | — |
| Montana | — |
| Nebraska | — |
| Nevada | Serial numbers and background checks for component parts |
| New Hampshire | — |
| New Jersey | Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, all ghost guns must be reported to officials, no 3D printing of guns, no distribution of 3D printing instructions, no plastic undetectable guns. |
| New Mexico | — |
| New York | Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, all ghost guns must be reported to officials, no plastic undetectable guns. |
| North Carolina | — |
| North Dakota | — |
| Ohio | — |
| Oklahoma | — |
| Oregon | — |
| Pennsylvania | — |
| Rhode Island | Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, no 3D printing of guns |
| South Carolina | — |
| South Dakota | — |
| Tennessee | — |
| Texas | — |
| Utah | — |
| Vermont | — |
| Virginia | No plastic undetectable guns |
| Washington | Serial numbers and background checks for component parts, no plastic undetectable guns |
| West Virginia | — |
| Wisconsin | — |
| Wyoming | — |
Show Citations and Footnotes
More from Gun industry and product safety
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- Consumer Safety
- High Capacity Magazines Prohibited
- Microstamping for New Handguns
- No Special Immunity for Gun Industry