Official Supreme Court opinion document

Supreme Court Likely to Uphold Biden’s Ghost Gun Regulation in Garland v. VanDerStok

Oct 8, 2024, 03:26 PM

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a pivotal case challenging the Biden administration's regulation on 'ghost guns'—firearms that can be assembled at home from kits or 3D-printed parts and lack serial numbers, making them difficult to trace. The regulation, introduced in 2022, mandates that these kits have serial numbers and that purchasers undergo background checks, similar to other firearms. The case, Garland v. VanDerStok, questions the legality of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) rule under federal firearms laws, including the Gun Control Act. The justices signaled they are likely to uphold the regulation, which aims to curb the proliferation of untraceable weapons linked to rising gun violence. The rule has faced opposition from gun manufacturers and owners who argue it oversteps federal regulatory authority. The Supreme Court's decision is expected to reverse the 5th Circuit's ruling, likely in a 6-3 vote.