‘Ghost gun’ regulation approved by US Supreme Court
The American Supreme Court has upheld former President Joe Biden’s efforts to regulate “ghost gun” kits that would allow people to get their hands on parts needed to assemble guns from online sellers. The decision by the court, which often supports gun rights, resolves a legal dispute over whether these kits can be regulated in the same way as other firearms.
The court reached a 7-2 ruling with Justice Neil Gorsuch writing the majority opinion. It found that ‘ghost gun’ kits can be regulated under the federal Gun Control Act, adding hat the court had “no trouble rejecting” any arguments made by the challengers.
The regulation was issued by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It included ‘ghost guns’ within the definition of “firearm” as part of long-standing federal laws which regulate guns.
The law “embraces and thus permits ATF to regulate some weapon parts kits,” according to Gorsuch. The ruling is limited, meaning that some products which require “sufficient time, tools and expertise to create a gun would not necessarily be covered.
Three liberal justices and four conservatives joined in the majority. Only conservatives, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented. In backing the regulation, the court “blesses the government’s overreach based on a series of errors,” Thomas wrote.
Gun control advocates supported the decision, pointing to the public safety risks of unregulated guns, often used by criminals.
“Today represents a massive win in the fight for public safety and common sense” Kris Brown, president of gun control group Brady, said in a statement. “Ghost guns are as easy to assemble as a piece of Ikea furniture and, before Biden’s rule, could be accessed with fewer regulations than it takes to rent a car or book a flight.”
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