In a landmark 7-2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld federal regulations on firearm kits, marking a crucial step forward in the battle against gun violence. The ruling supports a Biden administration rule aimed at cracking down on “ghost guns,” firearms that can be bought online, assembled at home, and used without any oversight.
These untraceable guns, often purchased in kits, lack serial numbers, do not require background checks, and leave no paper trail. To law enforcement, they’re referred to as “ghost guns” because once they are assembled and used, they essentially vanish. Investigators are unable to trace their origin or determine who bought them, creating significant challenges for solving gun-related crimes.
For years, police departments across the U.S. have raised alarms about the dangers posed by ghost guns. Now, the Supreme Court has delivered a major blow to this unregulated market. In its ruling on Wednesday, the Court upheld a regulation that will now subject do-it-yourself firearm kits to the same federal laws that govern traditional firearms. This means that from now on, these kits must bear serial numbers, and buyers will be required to undergo background checks.
This ruling is being hailed as one of the most significant actions against untraceable firearms in recent years. However, the question remains: will it be enough to tackle the growing issue of gun violence in America?
How Ghost Guns Became a Crisis
Originally, ghost guns were seen as a niche hobby for gun enthusiasts who enjoyed assembling firearms in their own garages. Instead of buying a fully assembled firearm, individuals could purchase a kit online, put it together themselves, and avoid the paperwork and regulations associated with purchasing a traditional firearm.
But criminals soon discovered the loophole. Ghost guns became an attractive option for those seeking to evade the law. Since these firearms lack serial numbers, they couldn’t be traced to their origin. People prohibited from owning guns—such as convicted felons and domestic abusers—could easily buy these kits. At the time, these kits were not classified as firearms, so they weren’t regulated in the same way.
As gun violence surged in America, the number of ghost guns found at crime scenes also skyrocketed. In 2017, law enforcement recovered fewer than 1,700 ghost guns nationwide. By 2023, that number had soared to more than 27,000.
Ghost guns have been involved in numerous high-profile crimes, including a mass shooting in Philadelphia carried out with an AR-15-style ghost gun that left five dead. Police also suspect a ghost gun was used in the murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in Manhattan by Luigi Mangione.
While this ruling represents a significant step forward, it remains to be seen how effective these new regulations will be in addressing the broader issue of gun violence and whether additional steps will be taken to curb the proliferation of untraceable firearms.
