In a surprising twist, a Supreme Court Justice known for her conservative leanings appears to be charting a different course on a contentious issue.
According to Newsweek, Justice Amy Coney Barrett has shown support for regulating "ghost guns" during recent Supreme Court arguments, diverging from some of her conservative colleagues.
The case, Garland v. VanDerStok, challenges an ATF regulation on "ghost guns," untraceable firearms assembled by buyers. These guns have seen a significant increase in use since 2016.
During the hearing, Justice Barrett compared gun component kits to meal kits, suggesting that selling components together justifies regulation, aligning with the government's stance.
Barrett's apparent support for the ATF rule is not an isolated incident. In a previous 5-4 decision, she joined Chief Justice John Roberts and the court's three liberal justices in allowing the ghost gun regulation to take effect, overruling a lower court's injunction.
The ATF rule, introduced in April 2022, broadens the definition of a firearm to include self-assembly kits. It also mandates that partially assembled weapons easily convertible to full firearms must be registered as guns, requiring owners to obtain licenses, undergo background checks, and ensure their firearms have traceable serial numbers.
This position represents a departure from the traditionally conservative approach to gun rights, which often interprets the Second Amendment as placing few restrictions on firearm ownership.
Barrett's stance on ghost gun regulation is not the only instance where she has diverged from her conservative colleagues. In another case, United States v. Rahimi, she expressed strong disapproval of an analysis by Justice Clarence Thomas regarding gun ownership rights for individuals under domestic violence restraining orders.
During oral arguments, Barrett highlighted the specifics of a restraining order against Zackey Rahimi, emphasizing the alleged crimes and threats made against his ex-girlfriend. This approach seemed to challenge Thomas's strict constructionist view of the Second Amendment, which typically opposes any impediments to gun ownership rights.
Ultimately, Barrett voted with the majority in favor of the domestic violence law, while Thomas stood as the sole dissenting voice. This decision further underscores Barrett's willingness to break from traditional conservative viewpoints on gun control issues.
Barrett's positions on these cases suggest a nuanced approach to gun control that may not always align with conservative expectations. Her willingness to consider regulatory measures, especially in cases involving public safety concerns, could have significant implications for future Supreme Court decisions on gun-related issues.
The ghost gun case and Barrett's stance highlight the complex nature of firearm regulation in the United States. As technology advances and new methods of gun manufacturing emerge, the legal system must grapple with defining what constitutes a firearm and how to regulate its production and distribution.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett's approach to gun control cases demonstrates a departure from the strict conservative ideology of the Supreme Court. Her support for ghost gun regulations and consideration of public safety in domestic violence cases indicate a more moderate stance on firearm restrictions.
