Background Checks for Firearms Sales and Loans: Law, History, and Policy

This article examines past and present systems requiring that a person receive permission before buying or borrowing a firearm. The article covers laws from the eighteenth century to the present. Such laws have traditionally been rare in the United States. The major exceptions are antebellum laws of the slaves states, and of those same states immediately after the Civil War, which forbade gun ownership by people of color, unless the individual had been granted government permission. Today “universal background checks” are based on a system created by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his “Everytown” lobby. Such laws have been enacted in several states, and also proposed as federal legislation. Besides covering the private sale of firearms, they also cover most loans of firearms and the return of loaned firearms. By requiring that almost all loans and returns may only be processed by a gun store, these laws dangerously constrict responsible firearms activities, such as safety training and safe storage. Massachusetts, Connecticut, and California are among the jurisdictions which have enacted less restrictive, more effective legislation which create controls on private firearms sales, without inflicting so much harm on firearms safety.

Mangrove, Crab and Shorebird Activity as Bioindicators to the Health Status of Mangrove Ecosystems along the Surinamese Coastline, South America

This study focused on the shorebird activity along the Surinamese coast in relation to the mangrove ecosystem health. The health of three estuarine mangrove areas was assessed using important bioindicators of the mangrove ecosystem: crabs, birds and mangroves. Mangrove vegetation was measured at Weg Naar Zee, Matapica canal delta and Coronie coast. Crab activity was measured by burrow and crab counts. Occurring shorebirds were also counted at these areas. The results show that mangrove regeneration and shorebird activity is significantly related to the health of the ecosystem. Weg Naar Zee was the most damaged and highest at risk. Matapica canal delta and the Coronie coast were the least damaged, with Coronie coast showing greatest health and biodiversity of the indicators.