Supreme Court’s Decision on Ghost Guns Is a Rare Exception, Not a Shift in Its Extremist Agenda
Despite Today’s Ruling, The Roberts Court Has Routinely Decided to Allow Dangerous Weapons to Flood Our Streets
Washington, D.C. – The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 today to uphold a Biden-era rule requiring that the sellers of “ghost guns” issue serial numbers and conduct background checks, ensuring that these untraceable and easily assembled firearms are subject to at least some regulation. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented.
“Ghost guns are a clear threat to public safety, and their regulation should have never been in question. The idea that this commonsense rule made its way to the Supreme Court shows just how friendly our judicial landscape has become to extreme right-wing legal arguments,” said United for Democracy Senior Advisor Meagan Hatcher-Mays. “Let’s not forget that this is the same Court that has routinely expanded the definition of the ‘right to bear arms’ by making it nearly impossible for states to regulate dangerous weapons — the type of ruling that all but invites increasingly dangerous legal challenges from pro-gun groups. The fact that Chief Justice Roberts and his colleagues in the MAGA majority occasionally rein in the most egregious cases does not change the reality that this Court remains deeply compromised. Their occasional restraint should not be mistaken for reasonableness.”
United for Democracy's SCOTUS Nerve Center equips advocates and policymakers with analysis, messaging, and tools to understand and respond to the Supreme Court's political agenda and actions, such as today's ruling.
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About United for Democracy
United for Democracy is a diverse and growing coalition of more than 100 grassroots organizations, labor unions, and advocates for reproductive rights, gun violence prevention, the environment, workers rights and more, all representing tens of millions of Americans. The new nationwide campaign launched to educate Americans about the impact today’s Supreme Court is having on their lives, freedoms, and democracy — and call on Congress to rein in its unchecked powers.