SCOTUS moves one way on guns, Congress the other

+ Jan. 6 hearings show value of functioning government US Edition - Today's top story: Would closing the 'boyfriend loophole' in gun legislation save lives? Here's what the research says [View in browser]( US Edition | 23 June 2022 [The Conversation]( For those of you who are not reporters, lawyers, legislators, abortion rights activists, anti-abortion activists, gun rights or gun control advocates or constitutional law scholars, here’s what those of us in the above categories have been glued to for the past couple of days: [(. That’s the website for SCOTUSblog, which describes itself as “devoted to covering the U.S. Supreme Court comprehensively, without bias and according to the highest journalistic and legal ethical standards.” The blog provides a great public service: On days when the Supreme Court is due to issue opinions, SCOTUSblog has a running ticker where it posts the just-issued opinions, sometimes with commentary. The court has been due to issue opinions on two cases of enormous consequence – one that could overturn the constitutionally guaranteed right to get an abortion, the other that could strike down a state’s ability to limit who carries guns outside of their homes. In our newsroom, we’ve spent weeks preparing for the release of these decisions, lining up scholars to write analysis when the decisions are issued, but also publishing stories ahead of time that can help readers understand the decisions once they are handed down. Today, the gun rights decision was issued, and it stated plainly that the “constitutional right to bear arms in public for self-defense is not ‘a second-class right.’” That decision, which will be analyzed for us by a Supreme Court scholar in a story to be published later today, also falls within the extensive amount of coverage we’ve devoted to guns over the past few weeks as Congress gets closer to passing the first significant federal gun control legislation in a generation. Most recently, we’ve featured stories on two key provisions in that draft legislation: Michigan State criminal justice scholar April M. Zeoli wrote about closing the so-called “boyfriend” loophole, which [allows some people with a record of domestic violence to still buy firearms](. And political scientist John A. Tures wrote about red flag laws, which “[let police take guns from people deemed a threat to themselves or others](.” Naomi Schalit Senior Editor, Politics + Society Today's newsletter supported by [Readers like you]( Preventing people with domestic violence records obtaining guns would be a life-saver. Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images [Would closing the ‘boyfriend loophole’ in gun legislation save lives? Here’s what the research says]( April M. Zeoli, Michigan State University Congress is edging closer to pushing through its first gun control legislation in 30 years. Included in the bill is a provision to expand a firearm ban to dating partners accused of domestic violence. US Supreme Court justices arrive at the US Capitol in February 2022 Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images [The Supreme Court tends to save the biggest rulings for last – a constitutional expert explains a few good reasons]( Amy Lieberman, The Conversation The Supreme Court held off at least another day before announcing a ruling on abortion rights. High profile cases take more time to finalize, but there are also political and public relations factors. Ade Osadolor-Hernandez of Students Demand Action speaks at a rally outside the U.S. Capitol in May 2022. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images [US tragedies from guns have often – but not always – spurred political responses]( Robert Spitzer, State University of New York College at Cortland Congress tends to be most likely to act after an assassination or assassination attempt of historic proportions or mass shootings. But sometimes lawmakers do nothing beyond debate new measures. - [Red flag laws saved 7,300 Americans from gun deaths in 2020 alone – and could have saved 11,400 more]( John A. Tures, LaGrange College States with red flag laws saw fewer firearm deaths, on average, than states without them. - [Mike Pence’s actions on Jan. 6 were wholly unremarkable – until they saved the nation]( Lindsay Chervinsky, Southern Methodist University The vice president has said he looks forward to meeting the framers of the Constitution in heaven. That is not the mindset of someone with short-term vision. - [Starving civilians is an ancient military tactic, but today it’s a war crime in Ukraine, Yemen, Tigray and elsewhere]( Tom Dannenbaum, Tufts University; Alex De Waal, Tufts University; Daniel Maxwell, Tufts University Countries have used starvation as a war strategy for centuries, historically without being prosecuted. Three experts on hunger and humanitarian relief call for holding perpetrators accountable. - [Jan. 6 committee hearings show what went right, not just what went wrong]( Jennifer Selin, Wayne State University Coverage of the House Jan. 6 hearings focuses on what went wrong that led up to Trump supporters’ laying siege to the US Capitol. A government scholar looks at what went right, both then and now. - [People couldn’t look away from the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial – the appeal of a relationship drama held true in the 1700s, too]( Rachel Gevlin, Birmingham-Southern College Intimate details of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s marriage – including sex abuse – featured during their defamation trial. There’s a long history of popular trials showcasing relationships gone bad. - [Look at 3 enduring stories Americans tell about guns to understand the debate over them]( Greg Dickinson, Colorado State University; Brian L. Ott, Missouri State University The ways Americans talk about firearms is full of contradictions, two communication scholars explain – and that powerfully shapes the country’s approach to gun policy. - [Finland’s and Sweden’s pursuit of NATO membership is the exact opposite of what Putin wanted for Russian neighbors]( Steven Lamy, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Sandwiched between Russia and NATO ally Norway, both Sweden and Finland have maintained neutrality in global conflicts. That changed in February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our other weekly emails: [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Weekly Highlights]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](