Future Supreme Court Cases That Could Reshape Key U.S. Policies

[Social Media]

 

As the U.S. Supreme Court begins its new term on October 7, three significant cases are set to be heard, each of which could have a profound impact on American life. From gun control to gender identity and online pornography, these rulings will shape the national discourse in the months ahead.

 

One case, *Garland v. VanDerStok*, will address the controversial issue of "ghost guns." These are firearms that are purchased in pieces and assembled by the buyer. The legal question before the court is whether these parts should be considered guns, requiring the same registration, licensing, and serial numbers as fully assembled firearms. Ghost guns have surged in popularity, especially because they can be bought online and often remain untraceable.

 

The Biden administration, through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), introduced a regulation in 2022 that expands the definition of a firearm to include these self-assembly kits. The rule demands that partially assembled guns be registered like traditional firearms. Opponents argue that this rule oversteps regulatory boundaries, and the Supreme Court will hear the oral arguments on October 8. 

 

Another pivotal case, *U.S. v. Skrmetti*, centers on gender transition treatments for minors. Tennessee’s law, enacted in March 2023, bans the use of puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender-affirming surgeries for minors. The legislation has been challenged by three transgender children, who argue that it violates the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause. While a federal district court initially struck down the law, an appellate court later reinstated it, prompting the case to head to the Supreme Court.

 

The ruling could have wide-reaching effects, as more than 20 states have passed similar laws. Legal expert Germain suggests that it is unlikely the court will overturn Tennessee’s law, stating, “Allowing the use of drugs for certain conditions and not others does not strike me as violating equal protection. But it’s the ultimate political hot potato these days.”

 

The third case that could have significant implications is *Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton*, which challenges a Texas law requiring age verification for accessing pornographic websites. Enacted in June 2023, the law mandates that users be over 18 to view adult content, and it requires such websites to display health warnings about the psychological risks associated with explicit material.

 

Similar age-verification laws have been introduced in several states, including Arkansas, Utah, and Louisiana. The central issue in this case is whether the Texas law infringes on free speech rights by making it harder for adults to access constitutionally protected material. According to Eric C. Chaffee, a law professor at Case Western Reserve University, “Protecting children has long been held by the Supreme Court to be a compelling government interest.” He adds, “The case will turn on whether the Court believes that age-verification provides the least restrictive means of protecting minors from pornography in cyberspace.”

 

These cases will test the boundaries of federal and state authority and challenge interpretations of constitutional rights. With the outcomes expected to ripple across the country, the Supreme Court’s rulings could redefine critical aspects of American life.

 

Based on a report from Newsweek 2024-10-08