Supreme Court upholds Biden rule requiring serial numbers and background checks for ghost guns

The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a Biden administration regulation on the nearly impossible-to-trace weapons called ghost guns, clearing the way for continued serial numbers, background checks and age verification requirements to buy them in kits online.

Seven justices joined the opinion, authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch, upholding the rule. Two justices, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, dissented.

Sales of the homemade firearms known as ghost guns grew exponentially when kits that let people build them easily at home came into the market, Gorsuch wrote. “Some home hobbyists enjoy assembling them. But criminals also find them attractive,” he said.