Michigan House Considers Bills to Ban Unserialized Ghost Guns

Proposed Legislation Targets Ghost Guns in Michigan

In Michigan, a new legislative initiative aims to address the issue of so-called “ghost guns,” which are firearms that lack serial numbers and are typically assembled from kits or 3D printed. These guns, which are difficult for law enforcement to trace, may soon face stricter regulations.

One of the proposed bills would mandate that current owners of ghost guns must have them serialized within 18 months. Additionally, individuals who assemble firearms, unfinished frames, or receivers at home would be required to serialize them within 10 days of completion.

State Representative Morgan Foreman (D-Pittsfield Twp), who sponsors the bill package, emphasized the public safety aspect of the measure. “No one needs an untraceable ghost gun. These weapons are designed to avoid detection, responsibility, and justice. These are tools for people who intend to do harm and get away with it,” Foreman stated at a press conference.

However, there is opposition to the bills. Representative Phil Green (R-Millington), chair of the Michigan legislative Second Amendment Caucus, suggested that instead of new laws, existing laws should be more rigorously enforced. Green argued, “We’re dealing with situations where we’re outlawing basically possession of something and then if they do something wrong, now there’s three or more crimes that you’ve committed. How about we just deal with what you did wrong?”

Under the proposed legislation, the act of building, selling, or possessing a firearm, frame, or receiver without a serial number would be classified as a felony, carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison.

Previously, similar bills were introduced when Democrats controlled the legislative process, but they were not passed. The current political landscape, with Republicans holding the House majority, suggests potential challenges for the bills’ passage. Nevertheless, in the Democratic-controlled Michigan Senate, analogous legislation is set for a committee hearing on Thursday.