AG Ellison Introduces Legislation Aimed at Banning Ghost Guns

The attorney general says that a legal loophole in Minnesota has led to a huge uptick in usage of ghost guns, making life more difficult for law enforcement and the general public alike.

ST. PAUL, MN (KVRR) – “Ghost guns” are so named because they lack a serial number – something that’s bypassed when the firearm is either created with the use of a 3-D printer or a kit purchased online – pieces of which are surprisingly easy to obtain.

That lack of a serial number is an extra-big problem in Minnesota, as in 2025, the Minnesota Supreme Court found that Minnesota’s existing legislation only requires firearms to have serial numbers if the guns were required to be serialized under federal law.

That effectively makes ghost guns legal – and Attorney General Keith Ellison says that as a result, they are being used more and more in a variety of crimes.

Statistics from the AG’s office state that 187 ghost guns were traced in Minnesota from 2017-2021. This number jumped to 631 in 2022-2023 – a 237% increase.

Minnesota had the 16th most ghost guns recovered in crimes and submitted for tracing in the entire U.S.

Ellison is now attempting to outlaw the creation, sale, or use of ghost guns in the state, co-authoring legislation with Senator Ron Latz and Representative Dave Pinto.

In the news release, Senator Latz said, in part, “No one could’ve foreseen a world where you could print the parts to make a gun at home, but that’s the world we live in today.”

“Our state gun laws need to reflect this new reality and the increasing prevalence of ghost guns,” he added.

The release went on to cite various law enforcement and gun safety organizations applauding the proposed legislation.

It remains to be seen how it will fare in the State Senate and House of Representatives.

So far, 15 states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation banning or regulating ghost guns.