The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from the Biden administration regarding the regulation of ghost guns, which are firearms that lack serial numbers and have been increasingly linked to crime scenes. The regulation, implemented in 2022, redefined firearms under federal law to include unfinished parts like handgun frames and long gun receivers, requiring them to be licensed and serialized for easier tracking. Manufacturers are also mandated to conduct background checks before selling these parts, similar to commercially made firearms.
The rule applies to all types of firearms, including ghost guns assembled from individual parts, kits, or 3D printers. It does not prohibit the purchase of kits or firearms. The Justice Department reported a significant rise in the seizure of ghost guns at crime scenes, with over 19,000 confiscated in 2021 alone, marking a tenfold increase in five years.
