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“SCOTUS 2024: Landmark Cases on Jan 6 Rioters, Abortion, Gun Rights

As the national discourse around guns and abortion continues to heat up, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) could decide to hear several landmark cases in 2024. In particular, these potential rulings could dramatically affect how Americans view controversial topics like abortion, religion, and gun rights. The Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol directly created several legal battles, and the courts of the land will have to craft judgements on the merits of these cases. One of the most contentious issues, which left both sides of the political aisle divided, is the continuation of abortion rights. In the ruling of Roe v. Wade, which established the basis of abortion rights in 1973, the SCOTUS determined that a woman has the right to privacy regarding her health decisions and, by extension, her abortive choices. The legal limits of gun ownership is another issue confronting the SCOTUS in 2021. In District of Columbia v. Heller, SCOTUS held that the right to bear arms is a constitutionally protected right, though limitations can be enforced depending on their valid application. From this ruling, states can put conditions in place on gun ownership, such as background checks and restrictions on who can carry a weapon. At the intersection of these two issues is the question of religious freedom. According to the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, Congress may not institute a certain religion over another, nor may it restrict the practice of religions. This clause will be put to the test in the looming SCOTUS case of Hatch v. Davis which will address the constitutionality of religious exemptions from abortion regulations. In the next few years, the activities of the Supreme Court will come under strict scrutiny as historic cases come forward. In addition to the Jan. 6 riots, the court will have to tackle other issues like abortion, gun rights, and religious freedom. Although it is unclear if SCOTUS will choose to hear any of these contentious cases, citizens across the nation are closely watching and expecting decisions that will decide the fate of several landmark matters.