Ghost guns banned in Oregon. Now what?

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Ghost guns -- that is 3D-printed guns, guns with no serial numbers, guns that can't be detected by X-rays and guns built at home using separately purchased parts -- are now banned on Oregon streets.

These ghost guns became illegal on Sunday when Oregon House Bill 2005 finally took effect. A federal lawsuit filed last month argued the ban violated the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution, US District Judge Adrienne Nelson denied it.

In 2022, investigators found a ghost gun manufacturing operation at a home in Salem. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum made it a priority in 2023 to get them banned. And even though House Bill 2025 was passed last year, it took until now for the law to finally take effect following a series of legal challenges.

It's a nationwide problem. The US Department of Justice said it recovered 25,000 ghost guns during domestic seizures in just 2022.

This past April, Manhattan law enforcement showed how easy it is for children to come upon step-by-step gun printing videos on YouTube.

Now in Oregon, anyone convicted will forfeit the gun, plus violators face a fine of up to $1000. Three or more violations will be a felony and repeat offenders could face jail time.

To get into compliance, the gun, frame and receivers can be taken to a federally licensed gun dealer to be serialized.