Mercer Times

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, along with a coalition of 20 attorneys general, has filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in support of the federal government's request for review of "ghost gun" regulations. Platkin emphasizes the importance of these regulations in protecting residents from gun violence and hindering criminal activities involving untraceable homemade firearms.

Platkin stated, "The United States has a severe public health problem with gun violence, and states need all the help they can get to protect their residents from a patchwork of laws that create vulnerability to severe injury and death, and hinder law enforcement efforts to investigate crimes."

The brief highlights the positive impact of the Final Rule, which regulates ghost guns in the same manner as conventional firearms. It requires background checks for buyers of such kits, mandates unique serial numbers for parts, and ensures manufacturers keep records for tracing purposes. These measures aim to curb gun trafficking and prevent illegal weapons from entering New Jersey.

Data presented in the brief indicates a significant decrease in privately made firearms recovered in crime investigations following the implementation of the Final Rule. For instance, the number of homemade crime guns recovered per month dropped from 34 to approximately 19 after the rule took effect. Moreover, preliminary figures show a 66% decrease in privately made firearms recovered in the first two months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

The coalition of attorneys general, including Platkin, has been actively defending the regulation in the case of Garland v. VanDerStok. They have consistently advocated for the effectiveness of the ATF rule in combating gun violence and preventing the circulation of untraceable firearms.

Joining Platkin in this initiative are Attorneys General Brian L. Schwalb of the District of Columbia and Michelle A. Henry of Pennsylvania, along with counterparts from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

This advocacy effort aligns with Platkin's recent legal actions to support sensible restrictions on lethal weapons. In a separate case, he and Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings defended landmark firearms legislation before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, challenging restrictions on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.

The collaborative efforts of Platkin and his counterparts underscore a commitment to prioritizing public safety and curbing the proliferation of unregulated firearms in communities.