In a close 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court has given temporary approval to the Biden administration’s efforts to regulate “ghost guns” – kits that allow the assembly of untraceable firearms. These kits have become popular among individuals who are prohibited from purchasing regular firearms, and their use has been linked to a rise in violence. While the court did not provide explicit reasoning for its decision, it has allowed the enforcement of the regulations to continue while the legal challenge progresses.
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, siding with the liberal justices, formed the majority in this decision. The conservative justices in dissent did not offer an explanation for their opposing viewpoint. The regulations, which were issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in 2022, broaden the definition of a firearm and require those who produce and sell gun kits to comply with licensing, serial numbering, and background check procedures.
This ruling is part of the ongoing debate surrounding gun control and the interpretation of the Second Amendment in the United States.