Supreme Court Kicks Off New Term with High-Stakes Cases on Ghost Guns, Death Sentences, and Transgender Rights
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is back in session this Monday, diving into a docket that, while not as sensational as last term’s, still features some significant cases that could shape the legal landscape in America. From ghost guns to the death penalty and transgender rights, the justices are gearing up for a busy term ahead.
This year, the court’s agenda includes a case on ghost guns—those untraceable firearms that have become a growing concern for law enforcement. The justices will hear arguments on Tuesday regarding regulations aimed at controlling these privately made weapons. The rise in ghost guns has been alarming, with the number of such firearms recovered at crime scenes skyrocketing from fewer than 4,000 in 2018 to nearly 20,000 in 2021, according to the Justice Department. The Biden administration’s recent measures, which require background checks and age verification for purchasing ghost gun kits online, have shown some success in reducing these numbers in various cities. However, gun rights advocates argue that these regulations overstep federal authority and should be overturned.
On Wednesday, the court will tackle a deeply troubling case involving Richard Glossip, who has spent decades on death row for a 1997 murder-for-hire scheme. In a rare twist, even Oklahoma’s Republican attorney general is now questioning the validity of Glossip’s conviction and seeking to overturn the death sentence. Despite these doubts, an appeals court upheld the conviction, and the state’s pardon and parole board was deadlocked on granting clemency. This case raises critical questions about the reliability of the justice system and the morality of capital punishment.
Perhaps the most closely watched case this term revolves around transgender rights. As Republican-led states enact various restrictions on gender-affirming care, the Supreme Court will weigh in on a Tennessee law that limits access to puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender minors. This case comes at a time when the Biden administration and Democratic-led states are pushing for protections for transgender individuals, even as the court has previously blocked federal regulations aimed at safeguarding transgender students. The hearing date for this pivotal case has yet to be set, but it is expected to be argued in December.
As the Supreme Court embarks on this new term, it does so against a backdrop of low public trust and ongoing debates about the need for an enforcement mechanism for its recently adopted code of ethics. While the docket may not feature the same high-profile cases as last year, the potential implications of these upcoming rulings are significant and could reverberate across the nation.
With the possibility of further election disputes looming after the November ballots are cast, the conservative-majority court may find itself in the spotlight once again. As the justices prepare to deliberate on these critical issues, all eyes will be on how their decisions will impact American society and the legal framework that governs it.
