Garland v. VanDerStok

The case of Garland v. VanDerStok centers on the regulation of "ghost guns." These are firearms that lack serial numbers, making them untraceable, and are typically assembled by the user from purchased or homemade components.12

The core issue is whether the rule established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to regulate these ghost guns aligns with the Gun Control Act (GCA) of 1968. The GCA imposes regulations on the sale, purchase, and possession of firearms, requiring licensed businesses to maintain records and conduct background checks. In 2022, the ATF issued a rule clarifying that parts readily convertible into firearms are considered "firearms" under the GCA, subjecting manufacturers and sellers of gun kits and parts to the same regulations as regular firearm dealers. A federal district court initially vacated this rule, but the Supreme Court ultimately reversed that decision, holding that the ATF's rule was consistent with the GCA.3