HARRISBURG (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - You may not have heard of the term "80 Percent Receiver" before. But Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro says it refers to a firearm assembly kit that allows convicted criminals and others not permitted to own guns to bypass background checks.
Shapiro issued a legal opinion Monday saying that 80 Percent Receivers are firearms. The opinion allows State Police and other law enforcement agencies to begin the process of charging those in possession of so-called "ghost guns" if they are not allowed to have a gun.
"Criminals should take notice that this loophole for you to receive 80 Percent Receivers and manufacturer your own firearm is closing," said Shapiro.
Governor Tom Wolf and State Police officials appeared at Shapiro's Harrisburg news conference to show their support.
Currently, 80 Percent Receivers can be purchased by anyone at gun shows, brick and mortar vendors, and online. "They are sold without background checks and these are incredibly easy to make," said Shapiro.They also lack serial numbers for detection.
Shapiro says his opinion does not make any firearm product illegal and his office is not infringing on lawful gun owners Second Amendment rights.
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