# Plain Language Summary of H.R. 544

This bill would allow people who are injured or killed by untraceable firearms—commonly called "ghost guns"—to sue the companies that made the gun parts and anyone who helped sell the gun. If someone wins such a lawsuit, a judge could award them money to cover their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the injury or death.

Ghost guns are firearms without serial numbers, which means they can't be traced back to a manufacturer or owner. They're often assembled from individual parts purchased separately, sometimes through online retailers or gun shows. This bill specifically targets the makers of those component parts and anyone involved in facilitating the sale. The lawsuits would be filed in federal court in the district where the injury or death occurred, and both individual victims and their families, as well as state and local governments, could bring cases.

The bill does include some important exceptions. People wouldn't be liable if they used a ghost gun in legitimate self-defense against an immediate threat, or if law enforcement officers used one while responding to a genuine public safety emergency. These exceptions protect people acting lawfully to protect themselves or others.

In practical terms, this bill would create financial consequences for those involved in making and selling ghost gun components if those guns are used to harm people. It's designed to discourage the production and distribution of untraceable firearms by making manufacturers and sellers potentially liable for damages when injuries or deaths occur. However, the bill would only apply to ghost guns involved in interstate or foreign commerce, meaning it focuses on guns that cross state lines or involve interstate sales.

To provide a private right of action against the maker of any component of a ghost gun, and any person who facilitated a sale of the ghost gun, for injury or death resulting from the use of the ghost gun.

Torres, Ritchie

<p>This bill establishes a private right of action against a maker of any component of a ghost gun or any person who facilitated any sale of a ghost gun. A ghost gun is a firearm that lacks a unique serial number.</p>