6 The law defines “firearm” for the purpose of these requirements to mean “any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive” or “the frame or receiver of any such weapon.” 7 However, ATF has long interpreted this definition of firearm to include only fully finished firearms, frames, and receivers-meaning that those that are not technically finished and require a few additional steps before they can be used to make a fully functional gun are not subject to these legal requirements. Under current federal law, gun manufacturers and importers are required to engrave a serial number on the frame or receiver of each firearm, 5 and gun dealers are required to conduct a background check before selling any firearm. 4 Why are ghost guns currently legal under federal law? Guns made at home using unfinished receivers have become known as “ghost guns” because they do not have a serial number or any other identifying information and are therefore untraceable when they are recovered after being used in a crime. 2 A former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) special agent described the ease with which fully functional guns can be made at home using these parts: “If you can put Ikea furniture together, you can make one of these.” 3 Kits and online tutorials for making guns using unfinished receivers have proliferated in recent years and do not require any particular technical expertise. 1 Ghost guns are made using receivers that are not technically finished and require a few additional steps at home, such as drilling a few holes, before they can be used to make a functional gun.

The key component of a firearm is the receiver, which holds the parts that enable it to actually shoot, such as the hammer, bolt or breechblock, and firing mechanism. Ghost guns are fully functional firearms that can be made at home using parts and kits that are available to purchase from gun dealers or through online vendors. This fact sheet may be periodically updated to account for new policy developments.

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