US supreme court signals willingness to uphold regulation on ‘ghost gun’ kits

Garland v VanDerStok first in series of high-profile cases justices hear in what is set to be contentious term

The US supreme court signalled a willingness to uphold the regulation of ghost guns" - firearms without serial numbers that are built from kits that people can order online and assemble at home.

The manufacturers and gun rights groups challenging the rule argued the Biden administration overstepped by trying to regulate kits.

Justice Samuel Alito compared gun parts to meal ingredients, saying a lineup including eggs and peppers isn't necessarily a Western omelet. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, though, questioned whether gun kits are more like ready-to-eat meal kits that contain everything needed to make a dinner like turkey chili.

Chief Justice John Roberts seemed skeptical of the challengers' position that the kits are mostly popular with hobbyists who enjoy making their own weapons, like auto enthusiasts might rebuild a car on the weekend.

Many ghost gun kits require only the drilling of a few holes and removal of plastic tabs.

My understanding is that it's not terribly difficult to do this," Roberts said. He really wouldn't think he has built that gun, would he?"

A ruling is expected in the coming months.

The Associated Press contributed reporting