Supreme Court Gears Up for New Term: Cases on Ghost Guns, Death Penalty, and Transgender Rights
The U.S. Supreme Court is returning to the bench on Monday, opening a new term with several critical cases that will shape debates on gun control, the death penalty, and transgender rights. While this term’s docket may not hold the high-profile controversies of last year, when rulings granted former President Donald Trump immunity in certain legal matters, the conservative-majority court is expected to issue rulings that could significantly influence the legal and political landscape.
Election Disputes Loom
Though the docket appears less packed with blockbuster cases, the Supreme Court may be asked to intervene in election-related disputes following the November elections, adding weight to this term’s work. The justices also maintained a steady pace over their summer break, issuing orders on several emergency appeals. These included a refusal to reinstate President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan and a partial approval for an Arizona law requiring proof of citizenship to vote.
With historically low public trust in the Supreme Court and ongoing debate about whether their newly adopted code of ethics should have enforcement mechanisms, the justices are poised to address significant legal challenges.
Ghost Gun Regulations
On Tuesday, the court will hear arguments regarding the legality of regulations surrounding ghost guns—privately assembled firearms without serial numbers, making them difficult to trace. The Department of Justice reports that the number of ghost guns found at crime scenes surged from fewer than 4,000 in 2018 to nearly 20,000 in 2021. However, following the Biden administration’s introduction of rules requiring background checks and age verification for ghost gun kits, these numbers have begun to decline.
Manufacturers and pro-gun advocacy groups argue that the administration exceeded its authority, and the court will decide whether to overturn the rule.
Death Penalty Case Raises Doubts
On Wednesday, the court will examine the case of Richard Glossip, a man sentenced to death in Oklahoma for his involvement in a 1997 murder-for-hire scheme. Glossip’s case has drawn widespread attention, with Oklahoma’s Republican Attorney General supporting calls to overturn his conviction due to prosecutorial errors. Despite these concerns, an Oklahoma appeals court upheld the sentence, and the state’s parole board was deadlocked on granting Glossip clemency.
The case will test how the court approaches lingering doubts in long-standing death penalty cases.
Transgender Rights Case in the Spotlight
One of the most closely watched cases of the term involves transgender rights and state bans on gender-affirming care. The court is expected to review a Tennessee law restricting puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender minors. The case highlights the ongoing conflict between Republican-led states implementing restrictions on transgender individuals and Democratic-led states expanding protections.
While the case is not yet scheduled for a hearing, arguments are likely to take place in December. The ruling could have far-reaching implications for transgender rights across the country.
As the court prepares to tackle these critical cases, public scrutiny of its decisions will likely grow, especially as hot-button issues like gun control, capital punishment, and LGBTQ+ rights remain central to national discourse.