Closing the 'boyfriend loophole'

+ Octavia Butler's vision for humanity US Edition - Today's top story: Will closing the 'boyfriend loophole' in gun legislation save lives? Here's what the research says [View in browser]( US Edition | 25 June 2022 [The Conversation]( Yesterday was a pretty newsy sort of day. In fact, it was a newsy end to a newsy week in what has been, to date, a very newsy year. Most of that news has been gloomy, especially to those of a progressive mindset. The Supreme Court’s abortion ruling came on the heels of a decision by conservative justices a day earlier to strike down a New York restriction on carrying guns outside the home. This huge disappointment for gun control advocates was offset, to a degree, at least, by a rarity on Friday: a bipartisan gun control bill passed by Congress. Limited in nature – there is certainly still no whiff of an actual ban ever being countenanced in Congress – the agreed-upon bill does, nonetheless, have some important provisions. April Zeoli of Michigan State University [explores one of the most notable](: the closing of the so-called “boyfriend loophole.” It means that dating partners will now be treated no differently from spouses when it comes to bans on purchasing guns due to convictions or restraining orders tied to domestic violence. As Zeoli notes, this small change will save lives. This week we also liked articles about the [Supreme Court’s abortion ruling](, [abortion restrictions around the world]( and [how painkilling drugs work](. Matt Williams Breaking News Editor Preventing people with domestic violence records obtaining guns would be a life-saver. Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images [Will closing the ‘boyfriend loophole’ in gun legislation save lives? Here’s what the research says]( April M. Zeoli, Michigan State University Congress has pushed through its first gun control legislation in 30 years. Included in the legislation is a provision to expand a firearm ban to dating partners accused of domestic violence. A half-century of reproduction rights upended by the Supreme Court. Brandon Bell/Getty Images [Roe overturned: What you need to know about the Supreme Court abortion decision]( Linda C. McClain, Boston University; Nicole Huberfeld, Boston University By a 6 to 3 majority, the Supreme Court decided to overrule the landmark Roe decision and end almost 50 years of access to abortion being a constitution right. Four basic principles guide the field of medical ethics. goc/E+ via Getty Images [Abortion and bioethics: Principles to guide U.S. abortion debates]( Nancy S. Jecker, University of Washington A bioethicist explains the four ethical principles that guide medical practitioners’ thinking about abortion, such as autonomy and justice. - [The history of Southern Baptists shows they have not always opposed abortion]( Susan M. Shaw, Oregon State University A scholar writes about how the Southern Baptist Convention’s views on abortion changed during the 1980s, when a more conservative wing seized control of the denomination. - [Roe v Wade overturned: what abortion access and reproductive rights look like around the world]( Claire Pierson, University of Liverpool An expert explains how reproductive rights are changing globally. - [How do painkillers actually kill pain? From ibuprofen to fentanyl, it’s about meeting the pain where it’s at]( Rebecca Seal, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences; Benedict Alter, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Different painkillers provide relief in different ways. The most effective medication is the one that best targets the type of pain you’re experiencing with minimal side effects. - [‘A revolutionary ruling – and not just for abortion’: A Supreme Court scholar explains the impact of Dobbs]( - [Abortion: The story of suffering and death behind Ireland’s ban and subsequent legalization]( - [How Octavia E. Butler mined her boundless curiosity to forge a new vision for humanity]( - [Misinformation will be rampant when it comes to COVID-19 shots for young children – here’s what you can do to counter it]( - [Helping Afghanistan after earthquake will be hard: 3 questions answered]( - [5 tips for parents of new kindergartners who are younger than their classmates]( - [What are PFAS, and why is the EPA warning about them in drinking water? An environmental health scientist explains]( - - About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](