ATF Warns Gun Dealers About Selling Unserialized Frames, Receivers w/o Background Checks

The ATF considers this a "Firearm" under its new rule.
(Photo: ATF)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Tuesday sent out a public safety advisory that puts gun dealers on notice regarding the application of its new “Frame or Receiver” rule

Essentially, ATF will investigate and prosecute dealers who do not obey the new rule that requires NICS checks and serialization for unfinished frames and receivers, including certain gun parts kits.  

“People who engage in the business of dealing firearms are subject to the Gun Control Act,” said ATF Director Steven Dettelbach in a press release.  

“That means they need to run background checks and sell guns with serial numbers,” he continued.  “That is what the ghost gun rule is about.”

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“Today’s advisory is simple. If you’re dealing firearms — including items that can be readily converted to a working firearm — ATF is going to make sure that you are following the same laws as everyone else,” Dettelbach concluded. 

The agency went on to say that it’s learned that some sellers are trying to skirt the rule by:

  • (1) selling parts from the type of firearms parts kit covered by the final rule in separate transactions or 
  • (2) coordinating with other distributors to sell, market or make available individual parts that, when put together, create a frame or receiver. 

ATF said when evaluating a potential violation it will not only consider the product being offered but also the conduct of the seller and the marketing material.  Items such as directions, DIY guides, templates, jigs, molds, equipment and tools “may affect how ‘readily’ the part may be converted,” notes the agency.

“When a supplier in such a circumstance fails to comply with the GCA’s requirements, that may constitute a willful violation of the GCA. ATF considers such conduct, and all willful violations of the GCA, an investigative priority,” stated the agency. 

It seems pretty clear that the ATF wants to crack down on gun dealers selling 80 percent lowers and other unfinished gun parts without background checks and serial numbers. 

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You can read the full advisory below:

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  • Kevin Jamison March 26, 2023, 4:49 pm

    The ATF says – including items that can be readily converted to a working firearm
    At this rate that will soon include steel pipe and pieces of wood.

  • Pumper March 25, 2023, 9:23 pm

    Ghost guns can go out the side wall of your safe at night like Casper the friendly Ghost and kill things and then return before sunrise and you’ll never know it!! They really believe this BS !!

  • Snugs March 24, 2023, 10:27 am

    See people, these TYRANTS NEVER stop, they lose in the courts and they think the rulings don’t apply to them,they just try to come up with ways to CIRCUMVENT the LAW! There needs to be consequences for this behavior,they need to feel PAIN by loss of jobs, pensions in a lot of cases, FREEDOM!

  • Kenneth Ragan March 24, 2023, 7:51 am

    The ATF already lost this fight in court….what are they up to?

  • Lying Bastard March 24, 2023, 7:47 am

    Does that mean the ATF created a new law by itself declaring unfinished receivers are firearms?

    Shovels will now need to be registered!

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