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Board unanimously approves local ban on unserialized "ghost gun" frames and kits
Summary
The Board passed an ordinance on first reading to ban unfinished firearm frames and receivers without serial numbers, citing rising ghost-gun seizures and local shootings.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Sept. 7 passed, on first reading, an ordinance that would prohibit the possession, sale and transfer of unfinished firearm frames or receivers that lack serial numbers, commonly called "ghost gun" components.
Supervisor Stephanie, the ordinance's sponsor, described the measure as the first of its kind in California and said it targets kits that allow buyers to assemble untraceable firearms. "Ghost guns are the weapons of choice for those who would like to violate the law and injure many and others," Stephanie said, citing San Francisco Police Department reports that ghost-gun seizures in the city rose from under 1% of seizures in 2016 to 16% by 2020.
The sponsor noted that federal and state rules require serial numbers to enable tracing and that the local ordinance would give the city a tool to restrict sales and hold manufacturers and distributors accountable. Supervisor Ronan asked to be added as a cosponsor; multiple supervisors joined the measure. The ordinance passed unanimously on first reading.
Why it matters: Local restrictions on ghost-gun kits are aimed at reducing the flow of untraceable weapons into communities, a concern city officials linked to rising shootings and local police seizures.
Next steps: The ordinance passed first reading and will return for a second reading and final passage under the city's legislative calendar.
