GHOST Act of 2025

The Gun Hardware Oversight and Shipment Tracking Act of 2025 (GHOST Act) would create a new federal program—the Federal Interstate Firearm Parts Reporting System—run by the Attorney General. The program requires any entity shipping certain firearm components (barrel, slide, or bolt carrier) across state lines or internationally to register the shipment before it occurs, providing detailed information about the shipper, recipient, shipping method, and a shipment manifest. The bill sets delivery verification requirements, allows retroactive or recipient “putative” registrations under certain conditions, and creates a database accessible to law enforcement, prosecutors, and authorized entities while shielding the data from general public disclosure. It also authorizes seizure of unregistered shipments, imposes criminal penalties for knowing violations, and establishes penalties for large-scale shipments. The act would take effect 120 days after enactment. In short, the bill would significantly expand federal oversight of and penalties for cross-border and interstate movement of key firearm parts, creating a centralized tracking system and potentially affecting how manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and carriers handle the shipment of these components.