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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	December 8, 2020 11:00 AM
From:	Senator Vincent J. Hughes and Sen. Wayne D. Fontana
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	3D-printed Firearms and Undetectable Firearms

In the near future we plan on introducing two pieces of legislation relating to 3D-printed and undetectable firearms. Both 3D-printed firearms and untraceable firearms, or “ghost guns,” are firearms assembled by an individual at home that lack many of the standard safety features, such as serial numbers and parts making them detectable by a metal detector, of a traditional firearm.  Without adequate safeguards in place, 3D-printed firearms and “ghost guns” are untraceable, undetectable and readily available. Our legislation would address the lack of safeguards in untraceable and undetectable firearms.  We hope you will join us in sponsoring these pieces of legislation. Please contact our offices if you have any questions.

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Document #1

Description:

This legislation will be a reintroduction of Senate Bill 496 from last session.  A settlement in Federal Court a few years ago made plans for 3D-printed firearms readily available across the United States. According to several news reports, people have already begun downloading 3D-printing plans for firearms. Several police departments have expressed concern about the dangers 3D-printed firearms pose. 3D-printed firearms are untraceable and lack identifying features commonly found on firearms, such as a serial number. The proposal amends Title 18 to ensure 3D-printed firearms are subject to the Uniform Firearm Act and would ensure a 3D-printed firearm is considered a firearm for purposes of Title 18. In addition, our legislation would prohibit anyone from printing a firearm without a license from the Federal Government to manufacture firearms.

Document #2

Description:

This legislation would amend the Uniform Firearm Act to make it crystal clear an undetectable firearm or a “ghost gun” is a firearm. In 2019, the Attorney General announced a legal opinion that found 80% receivers were considered a firearm for purposes of the Uniform Firearm Act.  During the announcement of that opinion, the General noted that his office had recovered more than 100 untraceable, unserialized firearms in Philadelphia alone.  These types of firearms have quickly become a dangerous threat to the public and in particular law enforcement. Similar to 3D-printed firearms, undetectable firearms lack standard safety features, such as a serial number, and are typically not subject to background checks. Our legislation would amend Title 18 to ensure that an 80% receiver is considered a “firearm” for purposes of the Uniform Firearm Act.