The Supreme Court upheld a Biden administration regulation on ghost guns, which are nearly impossible-to-trace weapons. The ruling allows for continued requirements, including serial numbers, background checks, and age verification for purchasing ghost gun kits online. The opinion was authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch, with seven justices joining the decision and two, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, dissenting. Before the regulation was implemented, the number of ghost guns found at crime scenes in the U.S. had been increasing significantly from 2017 to 2023, but after the rule was finalized, the numbers flattened out or declined in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.
Ghost guns are privately made firearms without serial numbers that can be used in crimes, as they are untraceable. The regulation focused on kits sold online that contain all the necessary components to build a functioning firearm, sometimes in less than 30 minutes. These types of guns have been used in high-profile crimes, such as mass shootings and the killing of high-profile individuals. The rule required companies to treat ghost gun kits like other firearms by adding serial numbers, conducting background checks, and verifying that buyers are at least 21 years old. The regulation was finalized at the direction of then-President Joe Biden in an effort to address the growing issue of ghost guns in the U.S.
Gun groups challenged the regulation in court, arguing that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives overstepped its authority and that most crimes are committed with traditional firearms rather than ghost guns. The case, known as Garland v. VanDerStok, was heard by the Supreme Court, which allowed the rule to remain in effect while the lawsuit was ongoing. This ruling is significant because it sets a precedent for regulating ghost guns and holding manufacturers accountable for the sale of these untraceable firearms. The decision also highlights the importance of addressing the use of ghost guns in criminal activities and the steps needed to regulate their sale and distribution.
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Biden administration’s regulation on ghost guns marks a significant victory for efforts to combat the use of these untraceable firearms in criminal activities. The ruling establishes guidelines for the sale of ghost gun kits online, requiring serial numbers, background checks, and age verification for buyers. Additionally, the decision has led to a decrease in the number of ghost guns found at crime scenes in various major cities across the U.S. since the regulation was implemented. The ruling highlights the importance of regulating ghost guns to prevent their use in violent crimes and protect public safety.
The regulation of ghost guns is crucial in addressing the rising threat posed by these untraceable firearms, which have been increasingly used in criminal activities across the U.S. The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the rule signals a commitment to controlling the sale and distribution of ghost guns by adding requirements such as serial numbers, background checks, and age verification for buyers. By holding manufacturers accountable and regulating the online sale of ghost gun kits, law enforcement agencies can better trace these firearms and prevent their use in violent crimes. The ruling demonstrates the government’s efforts to address the proliferation of ghost guns and protect public safety by implementing stricter regulations on their sale and distribution.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Biden administration’s regulation on ghost guns sets a precedent for regulating these untraceable firearms and holding manufacturers accountable for their sale. The ruling establishes requirements for ghost gun kits sold online, including serial numbers, background checks, and age verification for buyers. The decision has led to a decrease in the number of ghost guns found at crime scenes in major cities and highlights the importance of regulating these firearms to prevent their use in criminal activities. By addressing the threat posed by ghost guns and implementing stricter regulations, law enforcement agencies can better trace these firearms and protect public safety.
