Supreme Court Hears Case Over Biden Admin’s ‘Ghost Gun’ Regulations

Published on October 8, 2024

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Oct. 8 over the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) attempt to apply federal gun control legislation in a way that would prohibit so-called “ghost guns.” “Ghost guns” are generally understood to be untraceable firearms that lack serial numbers, were purchased by someone without a background check, and are potentially provided by a source other than someone licensed to do so. The conservative justices raised questions about how to view a firearm’s components versus its entirety. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, considered more of a swing vote on the court, suggested that the attorney challenging ATF’s regulation was proposing a “made up” legal test....