For hundreds of years, it has been legal for Americans to manufacture their own firearms. However, federal and state laws have become more restrictive in the wake of highly publicized firearm-related incidents and significant improvements in firearm technology. So today, let’s address a debate that has been raging over the years, intensifying recently in the media: “ghost guns.”
Looking Past the Media Hype
“Ghost guns” is a term commonly used to refer to firearms that are made by private individuals rather than commercial firearms companies, and as a result, have no serial number or other identifying markings.
Such weapons are controversial because the component parts can be purchased online and assembled fairly easily, such that ghost guns are considered by some to be a way around the regulatory requirements for buying firearms.
Interestingly, while the Colorado statutes make it illegal to “deface” a firearm by altering or obliterating its serial number, or to possess such a defaced firearm, it is not unlawful to put together a firearm that has no serial number.
Of course, once the ghost gun is assembled, the owner likely could not sell or otherwise transfer the gun because the gun would lack the identifying information necessary to fill out the ATF Form 4473.
For any further questions regarding ghost guns in the State of Colorado, call U.S. LawShield and ask to speak to your Independent Program Attorney.
The preceding should not be construed as legal advice nor the creation of an attorney-client relationship. This is not an endorsement or solicitation for any service. Your situation may be different, so please contact your attorney regarding your specific circumstances. Because the laws, judges, juries, and prosecutors vary from location to location, similar or even identical facts and circumstances to those described in this presentation may result in significantly different legal outcomes. This presentation is by no means a guarantee or promise of any particular legal outcome, positive, negative, or otherwise.
You do a disservice to those you purport to represent like me who bought your product. By using the terminology designed to demonize a legitimate activity, building my own gun if I desire to do so, you contribute to the effort to deny and strip me and other Americans of our constitutional rights. The words assault weapon are no different. The constant barrage of propaganda in the form of words has trained even gun owners to use these words, cutting their own throats. I urge you to look at what you are putting out in your marketing materials as those words matter to me and the decision I make to continue with your product. Gene Harris member# CO225930, just renewed