Polymer80

{{See also|Gun law in the United States}}

Since 1968, U.S. persons involved in the business of the manufacture or distribution of firearms must have a Federal Firearms License and serialize their products.{{Cite web|url=https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/does-individual-need-license-make-firearm-personal-use|title=Does an individual need a license to make a firearm for personal use?|website=www.atf.gov|language=en|access-date=October 3, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001122915/https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/does-individual-need-license-make-firearm-personal-use|archivedate=October 1, 2017|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |first=Lisa Marie |last=Pane |date=November 24, 2019 |url=https://www.avpress.com/news/ghost-guns-are-untraceable-easy-to-make/article_862a9cc4-0e71-11ea-8db9-e77de7f4be5d.html |title='Ghost Guns' Are Untraceable, Easy to Make |work=Antelope Valley Press |agency=Associated Press |access-date=November 27, 2019}}{{Citation|title=How to Make a Homemade Gun (Full Length)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4kk2sxiMWU|language=en|access-date=2021-09-12}} However, the creation and possession of unserialized firearms for non-commercial purposes (i.e. personal use) is generally legal and unregulated under federal law. Typically, only a single, finished part of a weapon is considered to be a "firearm" according to the Gun Control Act, and this is most often the weapon's frame or receiver. While some states have passed controversial laws restricting the creation of privately made firearms, the sale of "unfinished" receivers does not usually require a federal or state background check.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/district-seeks-to-ban-ghost-gun-kits-as-seizures-of-homemade-weapons-soar/2020/02/27/d12be0da-5416-11ea-9e47-59804be1dcfb_story.html |title=District seeks to ban 'ghost gun' kits as seizures of homemade weapons soar |newspaper = The Washington Post |date = February 27, 2020 |accessdate = July 7, 2020 }}{{Cite journal |last=McWilliam |first=Jamie |date=26 March 2022 |title=The Unconstitutionality of Unfinished Receiver Bans |url=https://www.harvard-jlpp.com/the-unconstitutionality-of-unfinished-receiver-bans-jamie-g-mcwilliam/ |journal=Harv. J.L. & Pub. Pol'y per Curiam |language=en |location=Cambridge, MA |issue=9}}

Finishing unfinished receivers may be performed with a common drill press, hand-held rotary tools such as the popular Dremel, or even speciality machine tools like the Ghost Gunner CNC.{{cite news |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article50685560.html|title = California black market surges for ghost guns |date = December 19, 2015 |author1 = Sam Stanton |author2 = Denny Walsh |work = Sacramento Bee}}{{cite news |title = The 1st Amendment, 2nd Amendment, And 3d Printed Guns |first1 = Josh |last1 = Blackman |work = 81 Tennessee Law Review 479 (2014) |date = June 14, 2014 |page = 511 |ssrn = 2450663}} To assist the home building of private made firearms, unfinished receiver companies would usually sell kits that included drill bits, stencils, or jigs.{{cite magazine |title = I Made an Untraceable AR-15 Ghost Gun in My Office And It Was Easy |first1 = Andy |last1 = Greenberg |magazine = Wired |date = June 3, 2015 |url = https://www.wired.com/2015/06/i-made-an-untraceable-ar-15-ghost-gun/ |accessdate = October 17, 2016 |url-status = live |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20161020040839/https://www.wired.com/2015/06/i-made-an-untraceable-ar-15-ghost-gun/ |archivedate = October 20, 2016 |df = mdy-all}}

In the 2010s, companies like Polymer80 began to sell unfinished frames and receivers that, because they were made from polymer, could be completed with the simplest hand tools. {{cite web |title=What is an "80%" or "unfinished" receiver? |url=https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/what-%E2%80%9C80%E2%80%9D-or-%E2%80%9Cunfinished-receiver |website=atf.gov |publisher=Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives |accessdate=4 July 2020}} The company's name became synonymous with another term for the trade, known as "80 percent receivers.{{Cite web |title=Polymer80's Name Has Become Synonymous With 'Ghost Guns.' Now It's in the Crosshairs |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/polymer80s-name-has-become-synonymous-with-ghost-guns-now-its-in-the-crosshairs/3629529/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=NBC New York |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-04-12 |title=ATF's New 'Ghost Gun' Rules Are as Clear as Mud |url=https://reason.com/2022/04/11/atfs-new-ghost-gun-rules-are-as-clear-as-mud/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=Reason.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2017-08-15 |title=New Polymer80 PF940v2 Coming This Fall - |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/08/15/polymer80-pf940v2/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=The Firearm Blog |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2018-05-31 |title=How to (Legally) Make Your Own Off-the-Books Handgun |url=https://reason.com/2018/05/31/how-to-legally-make-your-own-o/ |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=Reason.com |language=en-US}}

The company was founded by Loran Kelley Jr. and David Borges in March 2013.{{Cite web |last=Bond |first=Noah |title=MADE IN NEVADA: Polymer80 |url=https://www.kolotv.com/content/news/MADE-IN-NEVADA-Polymer80-502508131.html |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=kolotv.com |language=en}} The first project undertaken by the company was an injection molded AR-15 rifle lower receiver. The company then moved to AR-10 style rifle lower receivers, and finally pistol receivers. The name of the company refers to the injection molding process combined with the common designation of unfinished receivers as "80% receivers".

The first version of the Glock compatible handgun debuted in 2016, with a follow up that arrived in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Merrill |first=Dave |date=2016-12-02 |title=Polymer 80 80% Pistol Frame V.1 - The Ghost Glock |url=https://www.recoilweb.com/polymer-80-80-pistol-frame-v-1-the-ghost-glock-119466.html |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Recoil |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2017-05-29 |title=10 Steps to Building a Glock Using a Polymer80 PF940 Frame Kit |url=https://www.ballisticmag.com/10-steps-to-building-a-glock-using-a-polymer80-pf940-frame-kit/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Ballistic Magazine |language=en-US}} The company expanded the options available to consumers in 2019 by offering more Glock compatible frames in more colors and with more options for grip feel.{{Cite web |last=Kraut |first=Adam |date=2019-05-02 |title=Polymer80's Production Pistols |url=https://www.recoilweb.com/polymer80s-production-pistols-149585.html |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Recoil |language=en-US}}

In 2019, Defense Distributed announced that their Ghost Gunner automated CNC milling machines would be able to mill Glock 19-style Polymer80 compact frames.{{Cite web |title=Polymer80 Launch Announcement – Ghost Gunner |url=https://ghostgunner.net/p80announcement/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=ghostgunner.net}}

The company markets their kits as "Buy Build Shoot".{{Cite web |date=2020-12-11|first=Scott |last=Glover |title=Feds raid 'ghost gun' maker whose products they say are linked to 'hundreds of crimes' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/11/us/atf-raid-ghost-gun-manufacturer-invs/index.html |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=CNN}}

Co-founder David Borges retired in 2021. Loran Kelley Sr., who became a partner in the first year of Polymer80, passed away in January 2022. Loran Kelly Jr. is the current President and CEO of the company.{{Cite web |title=One company's name has become synonymous with 'ghost guns.' Now it's under intense scrutiny. |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/polymer80-ghost-guns-kits-crime-rcna20864 |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=NBC News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Haley |first=Jennifer |date=2022-01-20 |title=OBITUARY: Loran Lee Kelley Sr. |url=https://rutherfordsource.com/obituary-loran-lee-kelley-sr/ |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=Rutherford Source |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Game & Fish |date=2022-01-19 |title=In Memoriam: Loran Kelley Sr., Polymer80 Founder, Home Gun Building Pioneer - Game & Fish |url=https://www.gameandfishmag.com/editorial/in-memoriam-loran-kelley-sr-polymer80-founder-home-gun-building-pioneer/456348 |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=Game and Fish |language=en}}

According to The Daily Beast, Polymer80 received a $371,000 PPP loan in mid-2021 for their reported 31 employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news |last=Rohrlich |first=Justin |date=2021-06-14 |title='Ghost Gun' Company Got $400K Government Bailout—During Federal Probe |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/ghost-gun-company-polymer80-got-a-dollar400k-ppp-bailoutafter-feds-raid |access-date=2022-05-07}}{{Cite web |last=Willis |first=Moiz Syed,Derek |date=2020-07-07 |title=POLYMER80, INC. - Tracking PPP |url=https://projects.propublica.org/coronavirus/bailouts/loans/polymer80-inc-5087217210 |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=ProPublica |language=en}}

As of around July 25, 2024, Polymer80 has ceased business reportedly due to the overwhelming cost of defending itself in court. This is despite the fact that 80% gun frames continue to be proven legal in court.{{Cite web |last=Cody |date=2024-08-14 |title=Polymer 80 Shuts Down & Closes Doors |url=https://huskyarmory.com/polymer-80-shuts-down-closes-doors |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=Husky Armory |language=en-US}}

{{primary sources|section|date=May 2022|Reason=Secondary and reliable sources are needed to establish notability.}}

Polymer80 sold a variety of lower frames and receivers compatible with various models of Glock handguns.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-07-19 |title=Super Weapon or Super Dud: How Good Is the Polymer 80 Glock Gun? |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/super-weapon-or-super-dud-how-good-polymer-80-glock-gun-67717 |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=The National Interest |language=en}} They include:

• PF940v2 – full-frame pistol kit, compatible with Glock 17, 34, 17L in 9×19mm; Glock 22, 35, 24 in .40 S&W; and Glock 31 in .357 SIG{{Cite web |title=PF940v2 80% Full Size Frame Kit - Black |url=https://www.polymer80.com/PF940v2-80-Full-Size-Frame-Kit-_2 |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=Polymer80 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=The Polymer80 PF940V2 Ghost Gun kit |url=https://sofrep.com/gear/the-polymer80-pf940v2-ghost-gun-kit/ |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=SOFREP |language=en}}
• PF940c – compact pistol kit, compatible with Gen3 Glock 19 in 9×19mm and Glock 23 in .40 S&W{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Austin |date=2021-11-12 |title=How easy is it to build a ghost gun? We asked our reporter to find out |url=https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/how-easy-is-it-to-build-a-ghost-gun-we-asked-our-reporter-to-find-out/ |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=Santa Rosa Press Democrat |language=en-US}}
• PF940sc – subcompact kit, compatible with Glock 26, chambered in 9×19mm {{Cite web |title=PF940SC 80% SubCompact Frame Kit – Black |url=https://www.polymer80.com/PF940SC-80-SubCompact-Frame-Kit_2 |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=Polymer80 |language=en-US}}
• PF9SS – subcompact kit, compatible with Glock 43, Gen 4, chambered in 9×19mm{{Cite web |title=PF9SS 80% Single Stack Pistol Frame Kit-Black |url=https://www.polymer80.com/P80-PF9SS-80-Single-Stack-Pistol-Frame-Kit-Black_2 |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=Polymer80 |language=en-US}}
• PF45 – large frame, compatible with Glock G21SF, chambered in .45 ACP{{Cite web |title=PF45 80% Large Frame Kit Black |url=https://www.polymer80.com/PF45-80-Large-Frame-Kit_2 |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=Polymer80 |language=en-US}}

The ATF raided the company's headquarters on December 10, 2020. Washington, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine filed a civil lawsuit against the company for advertising its products within D.C. in June 2019, apparently for the company violating D.C.'s gun laws.{{Cite web |title=AG Racine Sues Gun Manufacturer Polymer80 for Illegally Advertising and Selling Untraceable Firearms to District Consumers |url=https://oag.dc.gov/release/ag-racine-sues-gun-manufacturer-polymer80 |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=oag.dc.gov}}

The company sought to intervene in a lawsuit brought forth by the state and parents of the victims in the 2019 Saugus High School shooting against the Department of Justice for their failure to classify receiver blanks like the type Polymer80 sells as firearms under federal law.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-30 |title=Polymer80 looking to intervene in Saugus High victims' parents' lawsuit over ghost guns |url=https://signalscv.com/2021/01/polymer80-looking-to-intervene-in-saugus-high-victims-parents-lawsuit-over-ghost-guns/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Santa Clarita Valley Signal |language=en-US}}

In February 2021, the Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer announced that the city along with advocacy group Everytown Law filed a lawsuit against the company for allegedly selling their kits in violation of federal and state law.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-18 |first=Richard |last=Winton|title=City sues 'ghost gun' maker Polymer80; LAPD says more than 700 seized weapons are tied to its parts |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-02-17/ghost-gun-maker-polymer80-lawsuit-los-angeles |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} In June 2021, two Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies injured in a shooting by a felon using a Polymer80 handgun sued the company for "negligently and unlawfully [selling] an untraceable home-assembled gun kit that resulted in the September attack in Compton."{{Cite web |last=Jablon |first=Robert|date=2021-08-10 |title=L.A. County deputies who were shot in Compton ambush sue maker of 'ghost gun' kit |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-08-10/sheriff-deputies-sue-ghost-gun-kit-maker |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-08-11 |title=LA Deputies to sue Polymer80 after being shot by one of its home-made 'ghost guns' |url=https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/la-deputies-to-sue-polymer80-after-being-shot-by-one-of-its-home-made-ghost-guns-194299/ |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=3D Printing Industry |language=en-US}}

The company opposed a Nevada state law that would criminalize receiver blank sellers and buyers. The law was struck down by Nevada's state courts, which then CEO David Borges called "a significant victory".{{Cite web |title=State judge strikes down key parts of Nevada's 'ghost gun' ban |url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/state-judge-strikes-down-key-parts-of-nevadas-ghost-gun-ban |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=The Nevada Independent |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-12-14 |title=Nevada judge strikes 'ghost gun' provisions from new firearms law |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada/nevada-judge-strikes-ghost-gun-provisions-from-new-firearms-law-2496592/ |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}} On May 21, 2021, the Nevada Legislature passed Assembly Bill 286 to prohibit the sale of privately made firearms and the receiver blanks used to make them.{{Cite web |last=Damon |first=Anjeanette |title=Why Outlawing Ghost Guns Didn't Stop America's Largest Maker of Ghost Gun Parts |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/nevada-ghost-guns-polymer80-firearms-laws |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=ProPublica |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=AB286 Overview |url=https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/81st2021/Bill/7778/Overview |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=www.leg.state.nv.us}}

The Los Angeles Police Department reported that nearly 90 percent of privately made firearms recovered by the department in 2021 were from Polymer80.{{Cite web |last=Stallworth |first=Leo |date=2022-03-25 |title=LAPD launches buyback program aimed at getting 'ghost guns' off streets |url=https://abc7.com/ghost-guns-lapd-buyback-program-los-angeles/11678757/ |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=ABC7 Los Angeles |language=en}}

The city of Baltimore filed a lawsuit against the company for making worse a "public health crisis" of violence associated with the use of privately made firearms. The lawsuit was filed on June 1, 2022, the same day that Maryland's law reclassifying "unfinished receivers" as firearms went into effect.{{Cite news |last=Wiggins |first=Ovetta |date=1 June 2022 |title=Baltimore mayor: "Ghost gun" company fueled public health crisis |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/06/01/polymer80-baltimore-ghost-gun-lawsuit/ |access-date=6 June 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post}}{{Cite web |last1=Vera |first1=Amir |last2=Watts |first2=Amanda |date=1 June 2022 |title=Baltimore files lawsuit against 'ghost gun' manufacturer Polymer80, accusing the company of causing a public health crisis |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/01/us/baltimore-lawsuit-ghost-guns/index.html |access-date=6 June 2022 |website=CNN}}

A 2022 study collected data about firearms recovered by police after being used in a crime. In the twelve American cities studied, Polymer80 was the fifth most commonly found brand, at 3.8%.{{Cite web |last=Katersky |first=Aaron |title=5 manufacturers responsible for over half of guns seized in a dozen cities: Study |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/manufacturers-responsible-half-guns-seized-dozen-cities-study/story?id=87117955 |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=ABC News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Gartland | first=Michael |title=Mayor Adams takes aim at five top U.S. weapon-makers during NYC anti-gun summit: 'Profit over our public safety' |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/new-york-elections-government/ny-nyc-mayor-eric-adams-mayors-against-illegal-guns-summit-gracie-mansion-20220720-k2l2gv5perhgph6jznhhkucg3y-story.html |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=New York Daily News}}

On July 5, 2023, the city of Philadelphia filed a lawsuit against Polymer80 and another receiver blank supplier following a mass shooting two days prior that left five people dead.{{Cite web |last=Mascarenhas |first=Aya Elamroussi,Lauren |date=2023-07-06 |title=Philadelphia mass shooting was 'obviously planned,' DA says. But investigation could still take months |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/06/us/philadelphia-shooting-thursday/index.html |access-date=2023-07-07 |website=CNN |language=en}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.polymer80.com}}
• [https://www.polymer80.com/CMS-Images/ATF-DetLetters.pdf ATF determination letter on the classification of Polymer80's products as not firearms]
• [https://everytownlaw.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/Complaint.pdf Complaint against Polymer80 from two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies]
• [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21112212-ghostraid-121420-warrant#document%2Fp4= ATF application for December 2020 search warrant]
• [https://everytownlaw.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/07/2021.04.20-Memo-of-Ps-As-ISO-Demurrer-File-Stamped.pdf Complaint by the state of California against Polymer80]
• [https://www.c-span.org/video/?519413-1/president-biden-announces-rule-regulate-ghost-guns-nominates-atf-director President Biden on Combatting Gun Violence] on C-SPAN, displays a "Buy-Build-Shoot" kit at 18:22
• [https://www.noqtr80.com/manuals/ Polymer80 How To Manuals]

Category:Firearm manufacturers of the United States

Category:Companies based in Nevada