---
title: The Fed’s crackdown on printed guns
description: Ghost guns are assembled at home via kits or 3D printing. New rules would see them regulated like traditional firearms.
---

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# [The Fed’s crackdown on printed guns](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/04122022-ghost-guns)

 Written by [Juliet Bennett Rylah](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/author/juliet-bennett-rylah) | Apr 12, 2022 7:43:49 AM

On Monday, President Biden announced [regulations](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/04/11/fact-sheet-the-biden-administration-cracks-down-on-ghost-guns-ensures-that-atf-has-the-leadership-it-needs-to-enforce-our-gun-laws/) against “ghost guns” in an effort to curb gun violence.

But wait…

#### **What’s a ghost gun?**

Not, as it may seem, a [haunted gun](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0140735/).

They’re DIY guns, typically bought online via kits that buyers assemble at home like Ikea furniture. Some are 3D-printed, like [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4dBuPJ9p7A).

It’s a much smaller industry than the [$19.5B](https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/guns-ammunition-manufacturing-united-states/) US gun and ammo manufacturing biz, but there’s at least one key difference.

Because they’re sold unfinished, ghost gun kits aren’t considered firearms and haven’t required a serial number, per [*AP News*](https://apnews.com/article/politics-business-ap-top-news-gun-aab2ded78314603e8e87e92dbe4def3f?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=AP&utm_campaign=SocialFlow).

#### **That’s a problem…**

… according to law enforcement and federal officials:

- Ghost guns don’t require background or age checks, meaning anyone with the means ([~$350+](https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/public-safety/2022/02/10/da-george-gasc-n-urges-credit-card-companies-to-cut-off-ghost-gun-sellers)) can get one.
- No serial numbers means they’re virtually untraceable. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) could only trace ~1% of the 45k ghost gun reports it received between 2016 and 2021, [per](https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/11/us/ghost-guns-what-to-know/index.html) *CNN*.
- Though most guns recovered by law enforcement during criminal investigations are regular guns, officials say ghost guns are on the rise. The ATF says ~20k ghost guns were recovered in 2021, up tenfold from 2016.

#### **The new regulations…**

… classify the individual parts as firearms, meaning ghost guns will be subject to the same laws as other guns.

Also, licensed dealers who buy ghost guns — like pawn shop owners — must add serial numbers before reselling.

#### **But not so fast**

You probably knew this, but gun regulations in the US are contentious.

Opposition is coming from pro-gun groups, including the Gun Owners of America, which plans to sue.

And while regulations could certainly curb some behaviors, stopping people from 3D printing whatever they want may be [impossible](https://www.vox.com/2018/7/31/17634558/3d-printed-guns-trump-cody-wilson-defcad).

BTW: The coolest 3D-printing applications might be… [human organs](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210601-how-transplant-organs-might-be-printed-in-outer-space)?

[View full post](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/04122022-ghost-guns)

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