October 8, 2024
Today United State Supreme Court is back in session.
After all the controversy we’ve seen with the court over the last few years — you probably wondering – or maybe even worried – about what the justices are up to this time around.
Well – there’s definitely some stuff – but there’s also not a lot of stuff – and I’ll tell you why in a second.
Today – the justices are starting out strong with a controversial case about ghost guns. Today the justices heard oral arguments over whether the ATF overstepped its authority by creating a new rule back in 2022 which basically redefined ghost guns and made them subject to the same regulations as licensed manufacturers. I told you all about that rule in this video. A handful of gun owners and gun rights groups sued and a federal judge in Texas and then the conservative 5th circuit court of appeals blocked the ghost gun rule saying the ATF did not have the authority to create it. When the supreme court agreed to hear this case – they overruled the 5th circuit and said no – this ghost gun rule can take effect while the case plays out – at least temporarily. Whether that holds – we’ll have to wait and see when the justices rule likely in June of 2025.
I’m going to tell you all about some other cases the justices have already agreed to hear and you’ll probably be interested in — in a second – but I want to address the fact that the justices are – for lack of a better word – keeping their schedule somewhat open. Most likely because the justices are anticipating several challenges to the upcoming election before, during and after November 5th. Because of the constitutional deadlines those challenges will need to be dealt with quickly so the court isn’t overly packing their schedule in November and December so they can get to those cases. On top of that – if former president trump does not win the election – the court is also anticipating additional challenges from trump’s legal team over all his criminal cases – from the New York state cases to the federal classified documents case and the federal election interference case. For what it’s worth – most experts believe that if former president trump wins this election – he will make the federal cases disappear. Obviously, presidents cannot make state cases go away – but the supreme court – may be able to. It’s also worth noting – the supreme court may also be taking up the TikTok ban this term.
Now – back to some of the other cases on the docket in this 2024-2025 term.
The justices will hear cases about whether the FDA has unfairly blocked the marketing of flavored vape pens, whether the state of Texas has violated a person’s free speech rights by requiring them to verify their age before viewing pornography, whether the states have the right to ban gender-affirming care for minors and whether Mexico can hold US gunmakers liable for violence caused by Mexican drug cartels.
