[Hobby Section] Getting a ghost gun 10-19-2020, 04:08 AM
#1
![[Image: this-is-a-5b65b5.jpg]](https://media.makeameme.org/created/this-is-a-5b65b5.jpg)
No, not that kind of ghost gun. And technically not the legal definition of one either (we won't get into it). Here's what I mean by the term:
1. No record of sale or production (it doesn't exist)
2. No ability to trace
3. No serial numbers anywhere
"Well that's illegal!", I can hear it now. No it isn't. We're going to go into a tiny bit of detail regarding 18 USC Chapter 44.
It is illegal for a manufacturer of firearms to sell or import a firearm that does not have a serial number (26 U.S. Code § 5842)
Spoiler:
Okay, so serial numbers are only required for manufacturing guns. But I can't make a gun without getting a manufacturing (type 07) license, right?
Wrong. ATF acknowledges this here, and the relevant law is 18 USC 921(21))(a) and ©
Spoiler:
Okay, so what does this all mean?
It means that unless you're making guns as a matter of business (eg to sell or trade), you're exempt from (most of) the laws governing the manufacture of firearms. This includes the necessity to obtain a license as well as the need to mark your firearm with a serial number.
Now you might be saying "ok that's cool and all, but I don't have the skills to make a gun". Believe me, you're wrong again.
Sure, you probably don't have the tools or skills to make ANY gun you want, but I'm going to briefly go over the legalities of building a ghost gun. I won't give you instructions, for that, you should check out pornhub.
Here's what you'll need:
1. A PF940C frame blank
2. An Upper Assembly for Glock 19 G3
3. A lower parts kit for G19 G3
4. A 9mm glock magazine
It's pretty simple, for tools, you'll need
1. A razor blade
2. Sandpaper
3. A drill
4. A small round file
You can do it with power tools, but that way works just fine.
In the end, you'll be able to assemble a gun that is a near exact copy of a Glock 19 (midsize 9mm) that has not a single serial number on it.
You might be asking "how is this leagl!? don't I need a background check?"
The answer is no. In firearms law, a firearm (what you need a background check for) is defined by 18 USC 921(a)(3):
Spoiler:
So in conclusion, yes, you can legally own a gun with no serial numbers (even commercial ones, but we'll talk about NSN's another day), and yes you can legally make your own gun. This means that as long as you make it yourself, you can legally own a ghost gun.
There are some restrictions. In CA, you can still do this, however you do need to mark it with a serial number. Used to be you could just mark it with a random one, but now you must apply for one from the state (lame).
Let me know what you think, and if you've made one of these, please post some pics.