The City of Baltimore’s lawsuit against a gun shop accused of illegally selling untraceable ‘ghost gun’ kits began Aug. 18. Baltimore accuses Hanover Armory of negligence, creating a public nuisance, and violating the Maryland Consumer Protection Act.
The city says Hanover Armory sold Polymer80’s ghost gun kits, which include separate parts that can be assembled to create a functioning firearm. Individuals can purchase these kits without background checks.
The city filed the suit against Hanover Armory LLC, in 2022, also naming Polymer80, a leading manufacturer of unserialized ghost guns. In February 2024, Baltimore reached a $1.2 million settlement with Polymer80. The settlement also included an agreement by the company to discontinue selling ghost gun kits to Maryland residents not only in Maryland, but in neighboring states.
Maryland’s state ban on ghost guns took effect in 2022. The law makes it a misdemeanor to buy or sell unfinished gun frames and receivers. Violators face up to five years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
In 2023, Baltimore police confiscated more than 460 ghost guns. By mid-2025, the city reported seizing more than 150.
