Oregon's New Law Targeting Ghost Guns Takes Effect this Sunday

Starting Sunday, September 1st, 2024, Oregon will implement a statewide prohibition on privately manufactured firearms lacking serial numbers, commonly referred to as "ghost guns." This comes after a federal judge rejected a legal challenge aimed at preventing the ban from taking effect.

Unlike firearms produced by licensed manufacturers, which typically bear serial numbers on their frames for traceability, ghost guns are difficult for officials to track. The U.S. Department of Justice reported seizing 25,785 such weapons in domestic operations during 2022.

Recently, Stephen Duvernay, representing the Oregon Firearms Federation and the Firearms Policy Coalition Inc., presented arguments in federal court. He contended that self-made firearms without serial numbers are widespread in the United States, as reported by The Oregonian/OregonLive. Duvernay also highlighted the impracticality of requiring his clients to add serial numbers to their existing firearms or components, estimating that approximately one million state residents owning such weapons would be impacted by the new legislation.

The Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2005 in 2023, enacting the ghost gun ban. State Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, a Democrat, had long advocated for this legislation, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. She stated, "Unserialized guns are bad for everyone except criminals who don't want to get caught."

Under the new law, firearms manufactured after October 22, 1968, must bear a serial number. Violators may face a $1,000 fine, with repeat offenses potentially resulting in higher fines and imprisonment. To comply with the statute, current owners of unserialized firearms can have serial numbers added by federally licensed gun dealers.

Since July 2023, Oregon has also prohibited the sale, transfer, and import of unserialized firearms, as well as the possession, sale, and manufacturing of firearms undetectable by metal detectors or X-ray machines.

Rosenblum, who is not seeking reelection, emphasized in a statement: "Responsible gun ownership means respecting the gun laws of our state, and that now includes a ban on unserialized and undetectable 'ghost guns.' For the safety of your families and communities, please make sure you understand our new law and that you are in compliance."

With this legislation, Oregon joins at least a dozen other states, including California, Washington, and Nevada, in regulating ghost guns.