The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday to uphold federal regulations targeting so-called “ghost guns,” a category of untraceable firearms that can be assembled at home. In a 7-2 decision, the justices found that the regulation aligns with the 1968 Gun Control Act, overturning a lower court’s ruling that had challenged the federal agency’s authority to implement the rule.
The 2022 regulation, introduced by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), requires manufacturers of firearm kits and components to include serial numbers, obtain licenses, and conduct background checks—measures already mandated for commercially sold firearms. These rules aim to close a loophole that allowed individuals, including those legally prohibited from owning guns, to purchase kits online and assemble functional firearms at home.
Divided Reactions to the Decision
Gun control advocates praised the ruling as an important step in curbing firearm-related crimes, emphasizing that law enforcement agencies have long struggled to trace weapons lacking serial numbers. Advocacy groups supporting the regulation described it as a necessary tool to improve public safety.
Opponents, including gun rights organizations and firearm parts manufacturers, criticized the decision, arguing that it grants excessive power to federal regulators. They maintain that the rule represents an overreach, altering the definition of firearms beyond what Congress originally intended.
Shifting Supreme Court Approach on Gun Laws
While the Supreme Court has expanded gun rights in several key rulings over the past two decades, it has also upheld some restrictions. Last year, the court maintained a federal law barring individuals under domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms but struck down a ban on “bump stocks,” which modify weapons to fire more rapidly.
Wednesday’s ruling saw Justices Neil Gorsuch, John Roberts, Amy Coney Barrett, and Brett Kavanaugh joining the court’s three liberal justices in upholding the regulation. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented, arguing that the rule improperly broadens the definition of a firearm without congressional approval.
Ongoing Debate Over Firearm Access
The ruling comes as the U.S. remains deeply divided on firearm regulation, with ghost guns becoming a growing concern for law enforcement. Critics of these weapons argue that their accessibility allows individuals to bypass existing gun laws, while opponents of stricter regulations warn against expanding government control over gun ownership.
The case originated from a challenge brought by gun rights groups and manufacturers in Texas, where a lower court had previously ruled against the ATF regulation. That decision was upheld by an appeals court before being overturned by the Supreme Court.
With this ruling, the federal regulations on ghost guns remain in effect, reinforcing serial number and background check requirements for firearm kits and components.