Question 1

Are ghost guns and 80% lowers legal in New Jersey?

Accepted Answer

No. An unlicensed person may not obtain an unserialized frame or parts kit with the purpose of manufacturing a firearm, and unlicensed firearm manufacture is prohibited. Effective 2018-11-08. Controlling law: N.J. Stat. §§ 2C:39-9(k), (n) & 2C:58-1.

Question 2

What law covers unfinished frames and unserialized firearms in New Jersey?

Accepted Answer

The controlling law is N.J. Stat. §§ 2C:39-9(k), (n) & 2C:58-1. An unlicensed person may not obtain an unserialized frame or parts kit with the purpose of manufacturing a firearm, and unlicensed firearm manufacture is prohibited.

Question 3

When did New Jersey's unfinished frame or unserialized firearm restriction take effect?

Accepted Answer

New Jersey's rule took effect 2018-11-08. New Jersey's offense turns on purpose to manufacture or assemble and reaches a separate frame, receiver, or combination of parts from which an unserialized firearm may readily be made. Ordinary hobbyist manufacture is not available without the state and federal licenses required by chapter 58.

Question 4

Are 80% lowers and self-built firearms legal under federal law?

Accepted Answer

Federal law does not prohibit making a firearm for personal use, but prohibited-person, detectable-firearm, and unlicensed manufacturing-for-sale rules still apply. On August 17, 2026, Defense Distributed v. Blanche held 27 C.F.R. §§ 478.11 and 478.12(c) unconstitutional, but the judgment did not vacate those regulations and its declaratory and injunctive relief is party-scoped. Buyers outside the protected parties remain subject to the 2022 federal frame-or-receiver rule while litigation continues; state serialization, transfer, possession, and manufacturing laws apply independently.

Federal baseline verified 2026-08-18. Scope: Unfinished firearm frames and receivers, including products marketed as 80% lowers or pistol-frame blanks, plus firearms privately made without a serial number. Serialized stripped receivers transferred as firearms are outside this class's unfinished/unserialized restrictions.

Are Ghost Guns and 80% Lowers Legal in New Jersey?

Litigation Status and Details

Federal baseline

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