Red flag laws and the Highland Park mass shooting

Plus, Boris Johnson defiantly resigns.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

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. TOP NEWS 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] MISCELLANEOUS 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]   Support our journalism   Reader contributions help keep newsletters like Sentences free for all. Support our work with a one-time gift today. Give VERBATIM "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]  LISTEN TO THIS The Fortress of Solitude saw it all coming Vox's Constance Grady talks with writer Jonathan Lethem about his 2003 work The Fortress of Solitude in this recording from a live Vox Book Club event.   Listen now   ▶ Read more from Vox How will we know if we're in a recession? Senate Democrats slowly consider their options after Roe How the "lost cities" of the Amazon were finally found Even bosses are joining the Great Resignation What the Supreme Court's EPA ruling means for air pollution — and your health This email was sent to vox@quicklydone.com. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe. If you value Vox's unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring contribution.   View our Privacy Notice and our Terms of Service.   Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved.