To require serialization of firearms produced through additive manufacturing and of unserialized firearms possessed by federally licensed firearms dealers and gunsmiths, to establish penalties for violations, and for other purposes.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would require that certain firearms receive a unique serial number — a process called "serialization" — in two specific situations. First, it targets guns made using 3D printing technology (known as "additive manufacturing"), which can currently be produced without any identifying markings. Second, it applies to any firearms that are already in the possession of licensed gun dealers or gunsmiths but do not yet have a serial number. The goal is to ensure these weapons can be traced and identified by law enforcement if needed.

The bill directly affects two main groups: people who manufacture firearms using 3D printers, and federally licensed firearms dealers and gunsmiths who may currently have unserialized guns in their inventory. Under this legislation, those parties would be legally required to obtain and apply proper serial numbers to those weapons. The bill also establishes penalties — meaning fines or other legal consequences — for anyone who fails to comply with these requirements.

More broadly, this legislation is a response to concerns about so-called "ghost guns," which are firearms that lack serial numbers and are therefore difficult for law enforcement to track after crimes are committed. By extending serialization requirements to 3D-printed guns and those held by licensed dealers, the bill aims to close gaps in existing federal tracking systems. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee and the Ways and Means Committee, meaning it is still in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been voted on.