OLYMPIA — The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Biden administration regulation Wednesday aimed at controlling “ghost gun” kits, which enable individuals to easily acquire parts to assemble firearms from online sellers.
In response, Sen. Javier Valdez (D-Seattle) issued the following statement:
“I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold regulations that will help keep our communities safer from the dangerous rise of ghost guns. These weapons, often made with 3D printers and assembled without background checks, pose a serious risk to public safety.
“As the prime sponsor of House Bill 1739, signed into law in 2019, I’m proud Washington state has been at the forefront of addressing this growing threat. HB 1739 banned the manufacture, sale, and possession of untraceable firearms, and it was an essential step in combating the rise of ghost guns here in Washington.
“Today’s ruling reaffirms the importance of commonsense regulations to prevent these dangerous firearms from reaching the streets. While the Court’s decision is a victory, our work is far from over. Washington was ahead of the curve in recognizing the threat posed by ghost guns, and we must remain vigilant in strengthening our state’s gun laws.
“We will continue pushing for policies that prioritize public safety and protect our communities from gun violence. This ruling further strengthens our national effort to curb the spread of untraceable firearms, and we remain committed to ensuring our laws evolve to meet emerging threats.”
