Ghost Busters

Why ‘Ghost Guns’ Could Eventually Be the Death of the AR-15

by T. “Charlie” Allen

The AR-15 is by far the most popular semiautomatic rifle in the United States, so beloved that it’s earned the title “America’s Rifle.” But it’s also become a flashpoint in the fight for democracy, caught in a legal battle that may have significant impact on the lives of many Americans. More on that in a minute -- but first, let’s talk a bit about the controversial (and highly misunderstood) firearm, itself. 

The Armalite 15 or AR-15 was first developed in 1959, with a later model branded by the military as the M-16. Since then, millions of AR’s have been acquired by gun owners across the USA. Numerous manufacturers have replicated the AR since Colt’s patent expired in 1977. And today, the platform is available in a wide variety of calibers, barrel lengths, and configurations.

The AR-15 is extremely easy to operate, maintain -- and to build. Unfortunately, that tremendous versatility could one day come back to haunt it. And we’re already seeing ominous signs of that happening with the rise of “Ghost Guns” – a term used to describe guns (including 3D-printed weapons) that have no serial number and are thus untraceable.  

The AR platform is so popular that virtually every part of the weapon can be purchased separately from a different manufacturer and assembled into a single, highly-customized firearm. Building an AR-15 from scratch is incredibly simple -- You Tube videos abound with step-by-step instructions, many boasting that the completed rifle can be built in a couple hours at home, with just a few simple tools.

In the past, you’d buy the completed AR lower receiver at a local gun store. The receiver would already be engraved with a manufacturer’s serial number. Then, the builder would purchase all the needed parts and complete the build to their specifications at home. 

Now, it’s possible to build the entire weapon at home, including the lower receiver.  This ease of building an AR has developed into a full-blown industry, giving rise to the “Ghost Gun” moniker.  Simply put, an 80% lower receiver requires the owner to finish the final 20% milling and drilling to make the receiver capable of use as an AR. 

As indicated above, the receiver is the restricted and serial numbered part of the rifle. But the 80% receivers don’t carry a serial number, so there’s no way to trace ownership of the weapon.

Law Enforcement agencies have taken notice, as Ghost Guns gain popularity with criminals. In 2019, police recovered around 3,000 Ghost Guns from crime scenes across the US. By 2022, that number had skyrocketed to over 25,000. Not surprisingly, the issue eventually percolated its way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Just a few weeks ago, the high court heard arguments in the case of VanDerStok v. Garland to determine if the ATF can require serial numbers on 80% lower receivers finished by the consumer. Watching the arguments, it soon became apparent that the plaintiff’s representative was vastly outgunned (pardon the pun) by the ATF’s attorney. And in the end, it seems very likely that the justices will rule in favor of the government, though we won’t know for sure until next year.

What’s concerning isn’t so much a future where 80% lower receivers are required to have serial numbers, but the precedent that this case would set – and perhaps one day be weaponized against gun owners, specifically those who have ARs.

Gun rights optimism is on a Trump sugar-high at the moment. But eventually, the pendulum will swing back the other way and Democrats will retake the White House once again. When that happens, the justice department and ATF could use the precedent of this case to argue that, with just a few well-placed holes from a hand-drill, one can easily transform a legal semi-automatic AR receiver into a fully-automatic weapon. And with that, the most popular rifle in the United States would be well on its way to becoming illegal.

It’s for this very reason that the Second Amendment was created. Regardless of which side of the 2A argument you’re on, when any infringement on our rights is successful, people should take notice and be concerned – even when it comes to “common sense” legislation of something that sounds as scary as a Ghost Gun. Because, as with most things, rarely does it ever end there. And that’s when your darkest fears can become a reality.

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