Red flag laws and the Highland Park mass shooting

Highland Park gunman slips through cracks in red flag laws; Conservative lawmakers force UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign.

Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin.

How the suspected Highland Park shooter avoided red flag laws

 Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

• A mass shooting at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, a Chicago suburb, left seven dead and dozens wounded — raising questions about the efficacy of Illinois red flag laws. [Chicago Tribune / Annie Sweeney, William Lee, and Megan Crepeau]

• Illinois’ red flag law allows state police to revoke or block gun licenses for people believed to be a “clear and present danger.” Highland Park police had filed a "clear and present danger" report against the suspected shooter in 2019. [CNN / Travis Caldwell, Jason Hanna, and Dakin Andone]

• That 2019 report came after police had seized 16 knives, a sword, and a dagger from the suspect's home when he allegedly threatened to "kill everyone." [Forbes / Anna Kaplan]

• His family members declined to file complaints, and he denied intending to hurt anyone, so state police did not consider him a threat. [New York Times / Mitch Smith, Campbell Robertson, Frances Robles, and Serge F. Kovaleski]
• Months later, state police issued the then-19-year-old a gun permit. He legally purchased five firearms, including the semi-automatic rifle he allegedly used in the July 4 shooting. [Associated Press / Bernard Condon and Jim Mustian]
• Illinois lawmakers are discussing strengthening red flag laws, and ways to encourage local police and the public to use them more frequently. Wall Street Journal / Dan Frosch and Zusha Elinson]

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigns

• UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned on Thursday amid plunging support from his cabinet and the Conservative Party. [NYT / Mark Landler]
• During a speech at his Downing Street offices, Johnson did not apologize for his role in recent scandals and instead blamed his departure on the herd mentality of his party. [Washington Post / Karla Adam and William Booth]
• Electing Johnson’s successor will take several weeks. Conservative lawmakers will select two candidates to face off in postal ballots sent to the party’s 180,000 members. [NBC News / Alexander Smith, Henry Austin, and Mo Abbas]
• Former finance minister Rishi Sunak and health secretary Sajid Javid are among the many contenders to replace Johnson. [CNN / Eliza Mackintosh and Luke McGee]

WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges in Russia. Griner says she accidentally brought cannabis vape cartridges in her luggage. [Axios / Erin Doherty]

• A jury on Thursday found former Theranos executive Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani guilty of defrauding investors. His ex-partner, Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, awaits sentencing for fraud in September. [ABC News / Miles Cohen]
• The Georgia Guidestones were destroyed Wednesday for safety reasons after an explosive device damaged the monument earlier that day. [NBC / Tim Stelloh]
• On Friday, former White House counsel Pat Cipollone will testify before the House committee investigating January 6, 2021. [Business Insider / Camila DeChalus]

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“Laws don’t mean much unless they’re followed. This fell through the cracks. The law was written to make sure this wouldn’t happen, and it still did.”

[Sean Holihan, state legislative director for Giffords, a gun safety advocacy group / AP] 

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