The Supreme Court is gearing up for a new term on Monday, set to tackle cases involving ghost guns, a questionable death sentence, and issues related to transgender rights. While this term may not have as many high-profile cases as the previous one when the court issued a decision granting broad immunity to former President Donald Trump, it is still expected to address significant legal matters.
Despite the absence of election-related disputes for now, there remains a possibility that the conservative-leaning court could be drawn into such matters after the November ballots have been cast. During their summer break, the justices did not idle, issuing orders in response to emergency appeals, including denying a request to reinstate President Joe Biden’s student loan plan and partially approving an Arizona law mandating proof of citizenship for voting.
The upcoming term unfolds amid widespread skepticism towards the Supreme Court and ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of their newly adopted code of ethics, with some questioning the need for an enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance.
Among the cases scheduled is a hearing on Tuesday regarding regulations for ghost guns, unregistered firearms that are difficult for law enforcement to trace as they lack serial numbers. The prevalence of these weapons at crime scenes has risen sharply in recent years, prompting the Biden administration to implement measures such as background checks and age verification for online purchases of ghost gun kits.
Another case on the docket involves Richard Glossip, who was convicted and sentenced to death for his role in a 1997 murder-for-hire plot. Despite growing doubts about his guilt, with both Glossip and Oklahoma’s attorney general seeking to overturn his conviction, the state appeals court upheld the verdict, and the parole board was deadlocked on granting clemency. This case is scheduled for arguments on Wednesday.
Furthermore, the court is set to consider a contentious issue on transgender rights, particularly focusing on state bans on gender-affirming care. As Republican-led states implement restrictions on various aspects of transgender rights, the administration and Democratic-led states have pushed for protections for this community. One key case revolves around a Tennessee law limiting access to puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender minors, with the hearing expected to take place in December.
With these and other cases on the docket, the Supreme Court’s decisions in the upcoming term are poised to have lasting implications on issues of national importance and individual rights.
