ghost gun
noun
plural ghost guns
: a gun that lacks a serial number by which it can be identified and that is typically assembled by the user (as from purchased or homemade components)
Ghost guns, cobbled together with various parts often purchased separately, are popular among hobbyists and firearms enthusiasts.—
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
St. Louis Post-DispatchThe issue centers on so-called ghost guns, which consist of untraceable parts that can be ordered online and then, with a little finishing work, assembled into a working firearm.—Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles TimesEven so, they haven't been outlawed; buying or selling a ghost gun is illegal, but making one remains kosher under US gun control laws.—Andy Greenberg
Andy GreenbergExamples of ghost gun in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Under the Biden administration, the ATF advanced new regulations aimed at cracking down on ghost guns and requiring thousands more firearms dealers to run background checks on buyers at gun shows or other places outside brick-and-mortar stores.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 24 Feb. 2025
One of the ghost guns was an AR-15-style assault rifle, and two additional AR-15-style assault weapons were also recovered, prosecutors said.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
My guess surely can’t be far off, because Roman then gets pinged on his ancient Palm Pilot, which, like the ghost guns, is too low-tech to be traced.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 4 Feb. 2025
That site sold a ghost gun parts kit to 17-year-old Kyle Thueme, who accidentally shot his 17-year-old friend in the eye.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
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Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 24 Feb. 2025
One of the ghost guns was an AR-15-style assault rifle, and two additional AR-15-style assault weapons were also recovered, prosecutors said.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
My guess surely can’t be far off, because Roman then gets pinged on his ancient Palm Pilot, which, like the ghost guns, is too low-tech to be traced.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 4 Feb. 2025
That site sold a ghost gun parts kit to 17-year-old Kyle Thueme, who accidentally shot his 17-year-old friend in the eye.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ghost gun
Articles Related to ghost gun
Cite this Entry
“Ghost gun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ghost%20gun. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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