The US Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed strong support for federal regulation of ‘ghost guns, ’ as part of President Joe Biden’s administration’s broader effort to curb gun violence.
Five judges, including liberals Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, backed the legislation, showing pessimism towards weapons companies and entrepreneurs who argued that the government had overreached in regulating these anonymous weapons products.
Ghost weapons are handguns assembled from packages or 3D-printed parts and have serial numbers, making them undetectable. This secrecy allows them to be sold without background investigations. Their quick and easy legislature has raised fears among law enforcement, as these weapons are appealing to those who want to avoid legal constraints on weapons ownership.
The regulation, enacted in 2022 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ( ATF), aims to curb the rising popularity of ghost guns. It mandates that gun manufacturers and vendors get licensed, kits been marked with serial numbers for tracking, and consumers undergo background investigations. The revised rule builds on the 1968 Gun Control Act, expanding the definition of a ‘firearm ’ to include these kits.
Before the restriction, individuals without gunsmithing skills may order an unserialised, empty window or receiver and, with little tools, convert it into a fully functional firearm without a background check.
Spirit weapons have become a big gun health problem in the US. The ATF reported over 70,700 feared ghost weapons recovered by law enforcement between 2016 and 2022, with most found in 2021 and 2022. These weapon have been linked to school shootings and sudden murders by children.
During the reading, Chief Justice Roberts questioned the state that devil gun products were for hobbyists, asking if assembling one was as pleasant as working on cars. Justices Alito and Barrett used comparisons about pancakes and food kits to issue when parts become a rifle.
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favour of the Biden administration’s restrictions, with Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Barrett joining the democratic judges. This decision briefly reinstates the rules on ghost guns.
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