Name: Chasing Ghost Guns
Author: Barry Edwards, JD, PhD, poliscidata.com

Title Page
Copyright
About the Editor
Editor's Preface
Introduction to Chasing Ghost Guns
1. What Is the Case About?
2. What the Case Is Not About
3. About the Federal Regulatory Process
4. Operationalizing the Definition of "Firearm"
5. Nature of the Disagreement
6. What Is Not Said Directly
7. Why Is the Case Styled Bondi v. VanDerStok?
The U.S. Supreme Court's Decision in Bondi v. VanDerStok
1. Majority Opinion by Justice Gorsuch
  1. I. Factual Background
    1. A. Federal Law
    2. B. Federal Regulations
    3. C. Prior Proceedings
  2. II. ATF Has Statutory Authority to Regulate Weapon Part Kits
    1. A. Weapon Parts Kits Satisfy Statutory Definition of Weapons
      1. 1. Polymer80's "Buy Build Shoot" Kit Qualifies as a "Weapon"
      2. 2. The Kit Can Be Readily Converted to Fire Projectiles
    2. B. Response to Counterarguments about Weapon Parts Kits
  3. III. ATF Has Statutory Authority to Regulate Unfinished Frames and Receivers
    1. A. Unfinished Frames and Receivers Constitute Frames and Receivers for Statutory Purposes
    2. B. Response to Counterarguments about Unfinished Frames and Receivers
  4. IV. Conclusion
2. Concurrence by Justice Sotomayor
3. Concurrence by Justice Kavanaugh
4. Concurrence by Justice Jackson
5. Dissent by Justice Thomas
  1. I. Factual Background
    1. A. Federal Law and Regulations
    2. B. Prior Proceedings
  2. II. Majority Applies Wrong Legal Standard
  3. III. Agency Lacks Statutory Authority to Regulate Unfinished Frames and Receivers
    1. A. ATF's Rule Exceeds Permitted Regulation of Frames and Receivers
      1. 1. Frames and Receivers Not Defined to Include Unfinished Frames and Receivers
      2. 2. Regulation Not Limited to Physical Characteristics of the Object
    2. B. Majority's Interpretation of the Statute Flawed
      1. 1. Reliance on Casual Meaning of Terms
      2. 2. Other Firearm Regulations Not Supportive
      3. 3. Readily Converted Rule Applies to Weapons, Not Frames and Receivers
  4. IV. Agency Lacks Statutory Authority to Regulate Weapon Parts Kits
    1. A. Weapon Parts Kits Are Not Weapons
    2. B. Weapon Parts Kits Distinct from Starter Guns
  5. V. Rule of Lenity Applies to Ambiguous Criminal Statutes
  6. VI. Conclusion
6. Dissent by Justice Alito
  1. I. Procedural Background
  2. II. Majority Applies Wrong Legal Standard
Appendix of Court References
1. Federal Laws
2. Federal Regulations
3. Cases Cited
4. Prior Decisions in VanDerStok Case
5. Briefs and Pleadings
6. Academic Studies and Articles
Afterword: Chasing More Ghosts
1. Further Developments in the Case
2. VanDerStok’s Implications for Criminal Investigations
3. VanDerStok’s Implications for 3D-Printed Firearms
4. Thanks and Acknowledgements

Appendix Resources

Federal Laws
Federal Regulations
Cases Cited
Prior Decisions in VanDerStok Case
Briefs and Pleadings
Academic Studies and Articles

Chasing Ghost Guns

Table of Contents