The United States Supreme Court has upheld federal regulations on ghost guns, firearms assembled from kits or 3D-printed, which lack serial numbers and are difficult to trace when used in crimes.
The ruling supports regulations from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), requiring manufacturers and sellers of ghost guns to comply with federal standards, including serialization and background checks for buyers.
The case stemmed from a legal challenge in which plaintiffs argued that the ATF exceeded its authority and violated Second Amendment rights.
The Supreme Court, in a majority decision, sided with the government, affirming that regulating ghost guns is essential for public safety.
The Court clarified that the ATF has the authority to regulate firearms without serial numbers.
The new regulation requires that key parts in gun kits sold to consumers have serial numbers, and that buyers undergo background checks, ensuring that these firearms are subject to the same legal standards as traditional firearms.
Opponents of the regulations argue that the rules restrict gun rights and hinder individuals who build firearms for personal use.
They claim that the serialization requirement and background checks impose undue burdens on law-abiding citizens.
