The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld regulations on “ghost guns” — a rare but narrow victory for gun-control advocates.
Why it matters: Unregistered, untraceable guns were used in about 19,000 crimes in 2021, according to the federal government.
Details: Federal law requires gun manufacturers to have a license and mark their weapons with a serial number.
- But law enforcement agencies have reported a major rise in crimes committed using “ghost guns” — weapons that are manufactured at home, from a kit purchased online. They typically are not registered and do not have serial numbers, making them effectively untraceable.
- The Biden administration said in 2022 that the same rules governing fully assembled weapons must also apply to ghost-gun kits.
- Manufacturers and owners sued, arguing that the kits do not meet the legal definition of a “weapon.”
The Supreme Court, in a 7-2 opinion written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, rejected that argument and upheld the Biden administration’s regulations.
- Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented.
Between the lines: Gun regulations usually lose at the Supreme Court, but it’s important to note that this case did not raise any Second Amendment questions.
- It hinged instead on the interpretation of specific phrases, including “weapon,” in federal law.
