WASHNGTON — In a tragic incident in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a young man, Guy Boyd, sustained a life-altering injury when an accidental gunshot struck him in the head while he was socializing with friends.
Despite being underage and unable to legally purchase firearms, federal and state laws did not regulate the gun parts kit purchased online by his friend, who assembled it into a ghost gun.
The gun unexpectedly discharged, causing a shot to hit Boyd in the eye, leading to excruciating pain and lasting consequences. “I remember hearing, ‘I love you, bro,’ before everything went dark,” Boyd recounted.
Following the incident in May 2021, Boyd spent nearly a week in the hospital. Bullet and bone fragments remain in his brain, resulting in seizures and drastically shifting his aspirations of attending culinary school in New York.
At 20, Boyd reflects on his past health, stating, “I was in good shape, actively playing football, with no health issues. Now I face issue after issue.”
A regulation enacted by the Biden administration aimed to prevent teenagers and individuals failing background checks from buying these kits. However, manufacturers and gun rights advocates continue to contest this regulation, with the Supreme Court set to hear arguments regarding its legality.
Experts anticipate skepticism from the court’s conservative majority regarding the authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) concerning this regulation.
The prevalence of ghost guns has surged nationwide, with crime scene recoveries increasing from fewer than 4,000 in 2018 to nearly 20,000 in 2021. Several cities report a leveling off or decline in such recoveries following the new regulation.
Ghost guns, which lack serial numbers, pose significant challenges for law enforcement. The 2022 regulation focused on kits containing all necessary components to assemble a functional firearm — sometimes within 30 minutes.
These kits were previously categorized as gun parts, allowing individuals to avoid background checks and age requirements associated with licensed gun purchases.
Authorities report that these products have attracted individuals unable to legally buy firearms, including those under 21 or failed background checks. Without serial numbers, tracing ghost guns found at crime scenes is incredibly difficult.
Despite ongoing sales of the kits, a decline in recoveries has been observed in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia after new regulations were enforced.
“We’ve seen a significant drop in these incidents, likely due to the regulation,” stated a local violence prevention leader, pointing to a mass shooting involving a ghost gun that resulted in multiple fatalities.
In Baltimore, the latest figures indicate a decrease in ghost gun recoveries for the first time since 2019, suggesting a positive trend in reducing gun violence.
Local authorities emphasize that the ability for prohibited individuals and minors to purchase guns online exacerbates violence, stressing the need for stricter gun control measures.
Gun rights advocates argue that the ATF has overstepped by regulating a historically legal product, with several states aligning with this viewpoint in legal briefs submitted to the Supreme Court.
Industry representatives contend that effective solutions to violence do not lie in new regulations but rather in stricter enforcement of existing laws.
Previously, the Supreme Court upheld the regulation during the ongoing legal dispute by a narrow margin. In a controversial 2022 ruling, the Court expanded gun rights, emphasizing historical traditions over contemporary safety concerns when evaluating gun laws.
This forthcoming ruling on ghost guns is pivotal, focusing on the extent of federal agency powers rather than direct Second Amendment implications.
The legal discourse also draws parallels between the regulation of ghost guns and previous rulings, including the overturning of a ban on bump stocks linked to mass shootings.
Opponents of the ghost gun regulation assert that the Biden administration has similarly overstepped its authority, fearing it will dismantle a legitimate industry.
In this complex legal and social landscape, the debate surrounding ghost guns, regulatory authority, and gun violence prevention continues to unfold, emphasizing the urgent need for effective solutions.
