Legislation To Watch – S.3743 Untraceable Firearms Act of 2020

Gun control groups are attempting to use the fear created by Covid-19 to push dangerous anti-Second Amendment legislation. The most recent effort is S.3743 Untraceable Firearms Act of 2020. In the press release introducing the bill, the sponsors note that it is based on a study conducted by Everytown for Gun Safety (who participated in the bill’s introduction). Everytown claims the study shows more ghost guns are being used in crimes. However, they did not release the study or its parameters.

S.3743

Senate Bill 3743 was introduced on May 14, 2020 by Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. The bill currently has 14 cosponsors and was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. All sponsors are Democrats in the Republican controlled Senate.

The bill’s official title is S.3743 – A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to ensure that all firearms are traceable, and for other purposes. Because of the long title, the bill is usually referred to as The Untraceable Firearms Act of 2020 or simply the Ghost Gun bill.

What The Legislation Does

An official summary has not been completed by the Congressional Research Service as of this writing.

The full text of the bill is can be read here, and you can read Senator Blumenthal’s press release here. Here is a summary of the most concerning points in S.3743.

• Expands the definition of firearm to include all unfinished frames and receivers. These parts are usually sold in kits and used for repairs as well as new builds.
• Defines a receiver as the part of a firearm that provides the housing for the trigger no matter the stage of manufacturing. This includes a “blank, casting or machined body that requires modification, including machining, drilling, filling or molding, to be used as part of a functional firearm, and which is designed and intended to be used in the assembly of a functional firearm.”.
• Adds the term “ghost gun” to federal law. A “ghost gun” will be defined as any firearm that does not have a serial number on the frame or receiver that was placed there by a licensed manufacturer or importer.
• Sets the penalty for violations at up to five years in prison.
• S.3743 will update the 25 year-old Undetectable Firearms Act making it a requirement that all guns be detectable by a metal detector. It mandates that either the slide, cylinder, frame, or receiver of all handguns be made of steel. Shotguns and rifles will have to have a metal barrel.
• These requirements will apply to prototype firearms as well.

Why You Should Care

Supporters of S.3743 claim that it is needed because of unprecedented gun sales related to Covid- 19 shutdowns. His press states “Congress must act urgently to stop these homemade ‘ghost guns’ before they spur the next horrifying wave of gun violence.” They claim “ghost guns” are being used left and right in criminal activities.

In reality, more people have become aware of the need for personal protection and it scares the gun control groups. People have built guns at home since before our country was even a country. Many of the parts they want to limit access to are used to repair existing guns as well. This bill would make getting needed parts more difficult. Take a minute and let your elected officials know your thoughts on S.3743.

You can track this bill’s progress here:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3743?s=1&r=5

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s3743

https://legiscan.com/US/drafts/SB3743/2019