The Supreme Court will soon decide whether criminals can get guns without background checks. The case, VanDerStok v. United States, involves a man who was convicted of possessing a “ghost gun,” which is a firearm that is assembled from parts and does not have a serial number. Ghost guns are often difficult to trace, which makes them attractive to criminals.

The Justice Department argues that the Gun Control Act of 1968 requires background checks for all firearms, including ghost guns. However, the defendant in the VanDerStok case argues that the law only applies to firearms that are “complete” or “operable.” The Supreme Court will have to decide whether this interpretation is correct.

The stakes in the VanDerStok case are enormous. If the Supreme Court sides with the defendant, it would allow ghost guns to proliferate. This would be a major victory for gun rights advocates, but it would also be a major setback for law enforcement. Ghost guns are already a growing problem, and they could become even more common if they are not subject to background checks.

Additional details:

• The number of ghost guns recovered by law enforcement has increased dramatically in recent years. In 2021, there were more than 19,000 ghost guns recovered, which is a 1000% increase from 2017.
• Ghost guns are often used in crimes. In 2020, a ghost gun was used in the shooting of a police officer in California.
• There is no federal law requiring background checks for ghost guns. However, some states have passed laws requiring background checks for ghost guns.
• The Supreme Court’s decision in the VanDerStok case could have a major impact on the future of gun control in the United States. If the Supreme Court sides with the defendant, it would allow ghost guns to proliferate. This would be a major victory for gun rights advocates, but it would also be a major setback for law enforcement.

Conclusion:

The Supreme Court’s decision in the VanDerStok case will have a major impact on the future of gun control in the United States. If the Supreme Court sides with the defendant, it would allow ghost guns to proliferate. This would be a major victory for gun rights advocates, but it would also be a major setback for law enforcement. The outcome of this case is therefore of great importance to both gun rights advocates and law enforcement officials.