Supreme Court Rules on Regulation of Ghost Gun Kits

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On March 26, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a significant ruling on the regulation of ghost gun kits, concluding that these firearms can be regulated under the federal Gun Control Act. The 7-2 decision, authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch, allows the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to classify ghost guns as firearms.

The ruling clarifies a legal dispute that questioned whether kits sold online for assembling firearms could be subject to the same regulations as traditionally manufactured guns. This decision aims to address a growing concern over ghost guns, which are increasingly being used in criminal activity. According to recent data, the number of ghost guns linked to crimes surged from fewer than 1,700 in 2017 to over 27,000 in 2023.

“The regulation enables the ATF to require background checks and record-keeping for ghost gun sales,” Gorsuch stated in the majority opinion. “This is a necessary measure to ensure public safety as the presence of untraceable firearms increases.” The regulation has been in effect since August 2022.

Despite the ruling’s broad support within the court, conservative justices expressed concerns about potential government overreach. They argued that the ruling might infringe on individual rights to self-governance, which has been a hallmark of Supreme Court decisions on gun rights in the past.

The legal challenge to the ATF’s authority was initiated by gun rights advocates who contended that the agency had overstepped its boundaries in enforcing regulations on ghost gun kits. However, the court’s ruling provides a firm backing for regulators aiming to mitigate the proliferation of these weapons.

Following the imposition of these regulations, cities like New York and Los Angeles reported a decline in the number of ghost guns found at crime scenes. As cities continue to grapple with gun violence, the Supreme Court’s decision represents a pivotal shift in the ongoing debate surrounding gun control in the United States.