There have been around three dozen mass shootings since the start of June (the Gun Violence Archive keeps track), with approximately 50 deaths and over 100 injured in those incidents. Yet, in the wake of all this violence, "Conservatives blame everything but guns for mass shootings" (Tom Mockaitis; The Hill; May 31, 2022; 5 minute read). This has been their angle for at least the last 25 years. They are especially fond of blaming the "godless" for the rampant abuse of guns in America. Phil Zuckerman writes in "Of God and guns" (OnlySky; June 13, 2022; 4 minute read) about how that claim does not hold up to the facts. Christians from other countries, and even non-white Christian Americans, find the situation troubling. White Christian nationalism has repackaged the United States Constitution as divine and the second amendment as sacred. "This Love of Guns: It’s Way Beyond Our Understanding" (Matthew Soerens; June 8, 2022; 5 minute read) in Christianity Today likens American Christian support of guns and the Second Amendment to idolatry. It is hard not to agree when so many roadblocks have been placed along the path toward gun reforms in the country. There may be hope: Senate Minority Leader "McConnell says he'll support a gun reform bill if it matches the proposed framework" (Ximena Bustillo; June 14, 2022; 1 minute read). But will any bill actually make anyone happy? We will keep an eye on what happens over the next week.

Tuesday and Thursday this week bring new opinions from the SCOTUS. We are staying on top of three cases in particular to keep you updated on what is going on with reproductive rights (Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization), prayer led by coaches at public school athletic events (Kennedy v. Bremerton), and public money funding religious-based schools (Carson v. Makin). 


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