Dayton-based gun manufacturer raided by ATF for selling 'ghost guns'

According to an article originally published in the Washington Post, federal agents of the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) raided Lyon County based Polymer80, a company accused of illegally manufacturing and distributing firearms, failing to pay taxes, shipping guns across state lines, and failing to conduct background investigations.

According to a press release issued by District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine in June of 2020, a lawsuit was filed against Polymer80 for selling what are described as “ghost guns.”

Ghost guns are illegal firearms that are untraceable and unmarked, according to the lawsuit.

“Polymer80 makes it easy for individuals to buy unmarked and untraceable firearms that are commonly used to commit violent crimes,” said AG Racine. “Indeed, Polymer80’s guns have been used in several homicides in the District. The Office of the Attorney General is seeking a court order to stop the company from selling ghost guns to D.C. consumers and to get these deadly weapons off our streets.”

According to the release, Polymer80 was also selling what it calls “Buy, Build, Shoot” kits that contain everything to assemble into a working firearm in a single package.

Polymer80 was advertising and selling these weapons online through its own website and a network of deals, and was shipping them to consumers through the mail, according to the press release.

“Polymer80’s illegal ghost guns contribute to violence in the District, and each year, the number of ghost guns local law enforcement recovers has grown,” said the press release. “In 2017, the District recovered three ghost guns, followed by 25 in 2018, and 116 in 2019. The District is on track to set a new record in 2020, with 106 ghost guns recovered between January 1 and May 29 alone. Of the 250 ghost guns recovered since 2017, 208 were produced by Polymer80. Polymer80 handguns have been recovered in connection with nine homicides in the District.”

The District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General alleged in their lawsuit that Polymer80 violated multiple aspects of the Consumer Protection Procedures Act, including the following:

* Falsely claiming its firearms are legal in the District: Polymer80 informs District consumers on its website that because their guns are not fully assembled, they are not considered firearms under federal law and can be legally sold, distributed, and possessed. The Polymer80 website’s homepage asks, “Is it legal?” and responds “YES!” However, Polymer80’s guns are considered firearms under District law. Though District consumers can easily purchase a Polymer80 firearm online, the company does not inform them that they are violating District law upon receipt of the firearm.
* Failing to disclose it is not licensed to sell firearms in the District: To legally sell firearms in the District, merchants must obtain a commercial license. Not only does Polymer80 not possess that license, it is prohibited from obtaining one because it sells assault weapons, specifically AR-15 and .308 semi-automatic rifles, which cannot be registered in the District.
* Selling firearms that violate numerous District gun safety laws: District law prohibits the sale or possession of semi-automatic rifles, but Polymer80 sells this type of weapon to District consumers. District law prohibits merchants from offering or selling firearms which lack a unique manufacturer’s number or serial number, or a unique dealer’s identification number, but all Polymer80 firearms lack that information. District law imposes mandatory 10-day waiting periods on firearm purchases, but Polymer80 also does not comply with this requirement. Additionally, District law prohibits any individual from possessing a firearm unless that person obtains a registration certificate, but Polymer80 does not inform consumers of that fact.

According to the Washington Post, agents seized records and other evidence during the raid on the Dayton-based company.

At this time no employees were arrested and no charges were filed.

As part of the investigation, the ATF identified multiple Polymer80 customers who were prohibited from buying guns because of prior criminal convictions, according to the article.