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"A well regulated Militia , being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed" |
| Review the history of gun control legislation in the United States, from the ratification of the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution to the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. For a timeline, visit the Web site below. |
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Milestones in Federal Gun Control
Legislation |
| The class will be divided into 4 groups. Two will be for gun control and two will be for gun rights. You do not have to personally agree with the position you are assigned, but do your best to support it. Members of each group will use the Web sites below to research and develop arguments for their assigned side of the issue. You are not limited to these sources of information, you are free to find other information from other sites. |
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Gun Rights |
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Gun Control |
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General information |
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Firearm Injury Center |
| After looking at each site, as a group, write out the best argument you find for your side of the issue. You will need to know both sides of the issue to be able to state your groups side of the argument. For example, gun rights supporters say the current laws and restrictions are good enough, your group would need to report what some of those laws are and how enforcing them is all that is needed. Gun control supporters should find violent crime statistics and evidence where gun control has reduced violent crime. Support your argument with facts and figures. Be prepared to share your answer with the class and answer questions from your teacher and your classmates. |
| Background information
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act Context: Also known as the Brady Bill, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act was named after Jim Brady, the press secretary to President Ronald Reagan, who was shot and seriously wounded during an assassination attempt on the president. |
| Gun Control Definition: The belief that the United States needs stricter firearm laws, including tougher background checks. Context: Gun control advocates believe that tougher firearm laws will curb the rise of gun related violence. |
| Gun Rights Definition: The belief that any legislation to curtail the use and sale of firearms is an infringement on Americans' constitutional rights. Context: Some groups advocating gun rights believe that firearm-control measures are unnecessary if lawmakers would enforce current laws. |