NYC, State of NY announce lawsuits against ghost gun retailers

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/29/us/ghost-gun-lawsuit-new-york-city/index.html

Authorities in New York filed lawsuits against 10 companies selling parts for so-called ghost guns, in an effort to hold distributors accountable for the proliferation of mail-order components used to make untraceable guns that lead to shootings.

The lawsuits, invoking a newly enacted state "public nuisance" law, hit companies on multiple fronts, including one from the New York Attorney General Letitia James field against 10 distributors in state supreme court and another by the New York City Law Department against five of the same companies, filed in federal court in Manhattan.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/04/26/2022-08026/definition-of-frame-or-receiver-and-identification-of-firearms
This rule is effective August 24, 2022.
In the past few years, some courts have treated the regulatory definition of “firearm frame or receiver” as inflexible when applied to the lower portion of the AR-15-type rifle, one of the most popular firearms in the United States. If broadly followed, that result could mean that as many as 90 percent of all firearms (i.e., with split frames or receivers, or striker-fired) in the United States would not have any frame or receiver subject to regulation. Furthermore, technological advances have also made it easier for companies to sell firearm parts kits, standalone frame or receiver parts, and easy-to-complete frames or receivers to unlicensed persons, without maintaining any records or conducting a background check. These parts kits, standalone frame or receiver parts, or partially complete frames or receivers enable individuals to make firearms quickly and easily. Such privately made firearms (“PMFs”), when made for personal use, are not required by the GCA to have a serial number placed on the frame or receiver, making it difficult for law enforcement to determine where, by whom, or when they were manufactured, and to whom they were sold or otherwise transferred. Because of the difficulty with tracing illegally sold or distributed PMFs, those firearms are also commonly referred to as “ghost guns.”

No pun intended but do the federal suits jump the gun?

This is not a trivial issue. Since some definitions used in the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) or the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) 54 and 88 years of science and technology have impacted firearm components such that some now being sold don't qualify as regulated firearms parts. These laws and definitions are used in obtaining criminal convictions. Laws need revisions to remain current.

[yagotme]

1. That whole 2d snippet is so full of WTH...

90% of all firearms? The AR system isn't THAT popular yet. And if they mean pistols, like the Glock, well, they DO have frames that are serialized. The FAL system's upper receiver bears the serial #, per BATF. Selling a 100% stand alone frame without a serial # is illegal. An 80% frame is not exactly "quickly and easily" made. If you don't have it milled correctly, or holes drilled properly, the firing components won't work. Yes, you can make a gun for your own use, and not serial # it. Selling it is illegal. Using it for murder was illegal also, the last time I looked.

[melm00se]

2. 80% firearms

never really made sense to me.

they cost the same, if not more, for the 80% kit.

If you want to build a gun, get one of the black powder rifle kits.

[The Mouth]

3. the NFA of 1934 and GCA of 1968

will be toast shortly.

As will most of NY's and CA's restrictions.