Data from the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) will be used to measure changes.

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

Oct 8, 2024, 03:00 PM

The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to uphold a Biden administration regulation aimed at controlling 'ghost guns'—firearms assembled from kits or 3D-printed parts that lack serial numbers and are difficult to trace. The regulation, introduced in 2022, mandates that these kits have serial numbers and that purchasers undergo background checks, similar to traditional firearms. The case, Garland v. VanDerStok, challenges the authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to enforce these rules under the Gun Control Act. The justices' questions during oral arguments suggest a majority are in favor of maintaining the regulation, which has been linked to a rise in gun violence. The regulation’s supporters argue that untraceable guns pose significant public safety risks, while opponents claim it oversteps federal authority. The 5th Circuit's decision is likely to be reversed, with Justice Barrett and Chief Justice Roberts appearing skeptical of the challenge.