The Supreme Court has upheld the Biden administration’s regulations on ghost gun kits, which allow individuals to assemble firearms from parts purchased online. The decision, announced on Wednesday (March 26), was a 7-2 ruling, with Justice Neil Gorsuch writing the majority opinion. He stated that the kits can be regulated under the federal Gun Control Act, allowing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to include ghost guns within the definition of “firearm” as per the law.
The regulation, which has been in effect since August 2022, requires manufacturers and sellers to obtain licenses, mark products with serial numbers, conduct background checks, and maintain records. This effort aims to curb the rise of ghost guns, which are privately made firearms lacking serial numbers, making them difficult to trace. Ghost guns were found at crime scenes in increasing numbers, from fewer than 1,700 in 2017 to over 27,000 in 2023.
The ruling resolves a legal dispute over whether these kits can be regulated like other firearms. The court’s decision marks a significant moment in gun regulation, as it often supports gun rights. Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented, arguing that the regulation represents government overreach.
The legal challenge was initiated by individuals and gun rights groups who argued that the ATF overstepped its authority. Despite the challenge, the regulation has led to a decline in ghost gun numbers in major cities like New York and Los Angeles.
Recent Comments