AG Ford Announces Ghost Gun Law Remains ‘On The Books’ Following District Court’s Ruling

In a press release, Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford announced that Nevada’s “ghost gun” law remains “on the books” following the District Court’s order concluding that the 2021 law is constitutional.

“The District Court found that Nevada’s ghost gun law ‘is consistent with the American tradition of firearms regulation focused on public safety,’ and that, because ghost guns are a modern invention, historical non-regulation of self-assembled arms should not be taken as the ‘founders’ implicit approval of such firearms.’ The State will now proceed back to the Ninth Circuit Court to brief the issue as the appeal is still pending,” the statement read.

In 2021, Nevada lawmakers passed legislation that banned the possession, purchase, transport or receipt of any unfinished frame or receiver of a firearm, or assembling any firearm not imprinted with a serial number. Assembly Bill 286 was signed by then-Governor Steve Sisolak.

During the 2023 legislative session,  Democratic Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui introduced Assembly Bill 354 in an effort to further clarify ghost gun restrictions and expand “gun-free zones.” The legislation was passed by the Democratic majority but vetoed by Governor Joe Lombardo.

In his veto, Lombardo noted, “AB 354 is commendable inasmuch as it aims to increase public confidence in the safety in and around our election process. However, its scope is too broad and there is no notable history of gun violence at election facilities in Nevada. AB 354 replicates federal and state laws prohibiting intimidation at or near a ballot-box. The provisions in AB 354 are merely duplicative of these existing laws and do nothing but establish more “gun-free zones.”

In August 2022, the Biden-Harris administration implemented a rule to reduce the spread of ghost guns by requiring that certain firearm parts be serialized.

Earlier this year, the Nevada Supreme Court unanimously upheld the ghost gun ban, reversing a lower court’s ruling that found the law “unconstitutionally vague.”

“Reasonable, common sense gun laws make Nevada a safer place to live and visit, and our state’s ghost-gun law furthers this goal,” said AG Ford. “With rampant gun violence and, particularly, mass shootings plaguing our nation, my office will continue to advocate for and defend impactful gun legislation that leads to safer schools, neighborhoods and public gatherings.”