Official announcement by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Supreme Court Likely to Uphold 2022 Ghost Gun Rule in Garland v. VanDerStok

Oct 8, 2024, 03:00 PM

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a pivotal case challenging the Biden administration's regulation of 'ghost guns'—firearms that can be assembled at home from kits and lack serial numbers, making them difficult to trace. The rule, implemented in 2022, mandates that these kits have serial numbers and that purchasers undergo background checks, similar to traditional firearms. The case, Garland v. VanDerStok, questions whether the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has the authority to impose such regulations. The justices appear likely to uphold the regulation, with several indicating support during oral arguments. The regulation aims to address rising concerns over gun violence and the proliferation of untraceable weapons. The Gun Control Act and the 5th Circuit's previous rulings are also under scrutiny, with Justice Barrett among those skeptical of the challenge.