Gun control in the United States has been a controversial issue, but the last month has been particularly dramatic. Exactly one month after the deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, gun reform in the US has taken one step forward and two steps back.

On Thursday afternoon, the United States Supreme Court said that Americans have a right to carry firearms in public for self-defense. In its decision, the SCOTUS struck down New York’s “proper cause” requirement.

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Hours after the landmark announcement was made, the United States Senate passed a bipartisan gun control legislation. This has been recognised as the biggest cross-party effort to curb gun violence in the country. 15 Republican lawmakers voted for it, including minority leader Mitch McConnell.

McConnell also compared the two crucial steps. He hailed the justices’ decision and Senate passage of the guns bill as “complementary victories that will make our country freer and safer at the same time.”

US President Joe Biden spoke about gun control in the US soon after the Senate “Families in Uvalde and Buffalo, and too many tragic shootings before, have demanded action. And tonight, we acted”, he said.

How are the two steps likely to impact gun reform?

The precedent that was set by the Supreme Court on Thursday would have limited impact. States with similar “proper cause” laws are likely the ones that will have to revamp gun laws.

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The White House said at least six states are in the direct line of impact. These include California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island.

On the other hand, any legislation passed by the US Congress (House and Senate) and then signed by the President becomes federal law. This means that the new law, if passed, would apply across the country.