SCOTUS Reinstates ‘Ghost Gun’ Regulation

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The Facts

  • SCOTUS on Tuesday voted 5-4 to permit Pres. Joe Biden’s administration to enforce a restriction on "ghost guns" — which are made from parts acquired in a purchased kit — while the administration appeals a lower court’s decision.

  • The administration last year expanded the federal definition of a firearm to include unfinished parts – requiring them to be licensed and feature a serial number. Manufacturers are also required to run background checks on buyers.


The Spin

Democratic narrative

Although the country won’t be completely protected until the Biden admin. wins its appeal, the streets are safer today because SCOTUS is allowing the government to keep guns out of the wrong hands. O’Connor, a judge known for ruling with Republicans regardless of the case, ridiculously tried to claim gun parts aren’t guns, but SCOTUS saw through his partisan thinking, so hopefully the appeals courts will as well.

Republican narrative

The Democrats’ nonstop attack on the Second Amendment must end. Banning so-called ghost guns won’t make the country safer, but what might reduce crime is reconsidering the progressive law enforcement policies that have turned US cities into war zones. More law and order would do the trick better than taking away people’s right to obtain guns.


Metaculus Prediction