On March 26, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) rule regulating ghost guns, after a coalition of 24 attorneys general, led by Attorney General Kwame Raoul, filed an amicus brief. These ghost guns are untraceable weapons often homemade from kits available online.
Attorney General Raoul expressed his satisfaction with the ruling, saying, “Today’s decision by the Supreme Court will help us save lives. Untraceable firearms without serial numbers are attractive to individuals who are not legally able to purchase a firearm or pass a background check. These guns fuel criminal activity, destabilize neighborhoods and make it difficult if not impossible for law enforcement to solve crimes."
The Supreme Court decision reversed a previous appeals court ruling in Bondi v. VanDerStok and recognized regulating ghost guns as a "commonsense clarification of existing law that is necessary to prevent gun violence and help law enforcement to solve serious crimes."
The ruling confirmed the ATF’s final rule which clarifies that the Gun Control Act of 1968 covers significant components of ghost guns, like gun kits and partially completed frames. The definition of “firearms” was extended to include kits and parts convertible into fully functional firearms, thus requiring them to adhere to legal requirements such as serial numbers and background checks.
Since assuming office, Kwame Raoul has focused on enhancing the regulation of ghost guns and 3D-printed firearms. His office initiated a state-of-the-art crime-gun tracing database, Crime Gun Connect, for Illinois law enforcement. Raoul’s office has been instrumental in addressing gun violence across various forms and collaborates with local law enforcement to combat gun trafficking, as well as work within the framework of Illinois’ red flag law and firearms licensing system.
The Attorney General's office also plays a role in assisting crime victims through the Violence Prevention and Crime Victim Services Division, offering trauma-informed services for victims and their families. More information can be found on the Attorney General’s website.