ghost gun

American  

[gohst guhn] / ˈgoʊst ˌgʌn /

noun

1. a gun that does not have a serial number and cannot be easily traced, especially one assembled at home from parts purchased without a background check.

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Etymology

Origin of ghost gun

First recorded in 2010–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ghost gun

But five days after that, the DOJ notified the court in the Texas case that “the government has decided to maintain the definition” that underlies the ghost gun rule.

From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2026

But there will always be the possibility of a ghost gun appearing in an investigation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2024

The Baltimore, Maryland, native was found in possession of a so-called ghost gun, a largely untraceable firearm, and a three-page handwritten document that indicated "motivation and mindset", officials said.

From BBC ● Dec. 10, 2024

For years, ghost gun companies sold kits online to consumers that contained the parts necessary to build a handgun or AR-15–style rifle.

From Slate ● Sep. 30, 2024

Elias Smith, a 24-year-old ex-Marine, had stepped to his front door with a so-called ghost gun, an AR-style rifle that Mr. Smith had assembled from parts ordered online.

From New York Times ● May 20, 2024