Supreme Court Weighs Biden's Ghost Gun Rule

The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing a Biden administration regulation aimed at controlling 'ghost guns,' which are untraceable firearms assembled from kits without serial numbers. These kits can be quickly assembled into functional weapons and have been linked to an increase in crime, as evidenced by a surge in police seizures from fewer than 4,000 in 2018 to nearly 20,000 in 2021. The regulation mandates that these kits be treated like traditional firearms, requiring serial numbers and background checks. Opponents, including gun manufacturers and some states, argue that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) overstepped its authority and that such regulation should fall to Congress. Some justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts, expressed skepticism about the kits being merely for hobbyists, while others, like Justice Samuel Alito, questioned whether unassembled parts should be classified as firearms. The court's decision will have significant implications for federal gun control measures and the balance of power between legislative and executive branches.