Central Bucks School District
American Government and Economic Systems – Honors Name: ______________________________ Ms. WileyThe Politics of the Second Amendment, the NRA, & Current Events4537406899400In the 2017-2018 school year, this country has seen too many senseless and tragic mass shootings, many in schools, where students come to learn and grow as human beings, and build the skills necessary to improve their lives and larger communities. This exercise will help us to understand the politics behind these shootings, which relates to much of our course content. After exploring some of the questions, videos and articles outlined below, we will participate in a student-centered seminar to brainstorm the best political course moving forward. The seminar will take place on Wednesday, 2/21. Students should have this document printed for class to adequately contribute to the conversation. 2nd Amendment: The text reads: “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.”What was the intent behind this Amendment? How did the Founding Fathers interpret it? Did they reach a consensus, or were they divided on its meaning like so many Americans today?Is the intent of the Founders (if we can identify a consensus) relevant to America today? Imagine the America these men lived in when they wrote the text of this amendment. How is the country different now?Other amendments (such as the 1st) are limited in a multitude of ways in modern American society. Why do proposals that “limit” the 2nd Amendment typically provoke so much more anger than cases where other amendments are limited?Gun control:Why do many Americans—particularly on the left of the political spectrum—respond to mass shootings with a desire to enact stricter gun control laws? How do those who oppose stricter gun control laws respond to these arguments?What are the results of stricter gun control laws in other countries?Should gun control, or lack thereof, be an issue of federalism? Should the states be left to determine their laws regarding guns, or should it be a national issue?How are students mobilizing (in the wake of the most recent tragedy in Florida) to affect political change? Mass shootings in America:Do mass shootings occur in other countries with the same frequency in other, similar countries? What are said to be the “causes” of mass shootings in America? To what extent can these causes be rectified by political action?Prompts:In response to the tragic events of a Sunday evening (10/1) country music concert, where 58 people were killed (not including the shooter) and more than 500 were injured, TV-host Jimmy Kimmel gave an emotional monologue. If you’ve gotten your media form signed, watch the video and take bulleted notes on the key arguments he makes. Even if you agree with everything he said, try to refute something he said or indicate what would need to be fact-checked to ensure he is being honest with his viewers: a video clip or several clips (total watch time: about 10 minutes) OR a credible article, about the most recent shooting (2/14) and take notes below. The clip(s)/article should be from a credible news outlet (Washington Post, New York Times, BBC News, CNN, Fox, MSNBC, ABC, etc.). See Ms. Wiley if you need help finding a source.Go to for background on the gun control issue. Take a few notes on each of the following sections:Section TitleKey NotesColonial/Revolutionary AmericaCollective vs. Individual Rights (Guns and the Supreme Court)The National Rifle Association (NRA)Gun Control LobbyCurrent Gun Control DebateGo to to explore several different arguments related to gun control. In your own words, describe some of the arguments:ProsConsPick two of the following articles and provide a summary, in your own words (bullet form is ok), of the most significant facts/arguments:Read 12 Facts About Guns and Mass Shootings in the United States (by Ezra Klein, in his Washington Post blog post). Go to for an article from Huffington Post titled “The NRA’s Fraud…” Read the arguments that David Hemenway, Harvard University professor of health policy made on this issue and we compare to other countries. Explain the cartoon’s message/argument/intent:Explain the image’s message/argument/intent: ................
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