Should Congress enact new Gun Control/Safety Measures?
After the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, many Americans have focused on current gun laws and whether they provide adequate protection against gun violence. President Obama appointed a task force headed by Vice President Joe Biden to come up with recommendations. Considering the task force’s recommendations, President Obama proposed new actions by Congress and through executive order. Other Americans, supported by the NRA, are opposed to new gun control/safety legislation, emphasizing mental health issues and violent entertainment as the key areas for focus to reduce gun violence.
This lesson plan presents a balanced approach to teach about the debate around President Obama’s new gun law proposals. Carefully selected C-SPAN video clips are supplemented with articles representing a variety of points of view. Additional resources for further analysis are provided at bottom of the web page.
Teaching About Gun Control
Background Videos
Stephen Dinan, Washington Times (2:48)
Paul Singer, USA Today (2:55)
Background Resources/Articles
Text of the Second Amendment - National Archives
Gun Laws in the United States - Wikipedia
Basic History of Newtown and Gun Politics in U.S. - BBC
What's In Obama's Gun Control Proposal - NY Times
Summaries of Prior 2nd Amendment Cases
District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010)
Support New Legislation
President Barack Obama (3:09)
Gabrielle Giffords, Former Congresswoman (1:24)
Captain Mark Kelly (3:20)
James Johnson, Baltimore Police Department (5:47)
Articles in Support
Opinion piece in support of Obama’s proposals- Washington Post
Article refuting National Review’s John Lott’s assertions about background checks - National Review
Oppose New Legislation
Author John Lott (2:44)
NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre (4:42)
National Rifle Association Statement (1:06)
Professor David Kopel (5:05)
Articles in Opposition
Opinion piece opposed to new gun legislation - Wall Street Journal
John Lott on background checks - National Review
Response
Senator Rand Paul (R-FL) (0:37)
Additional Web Resources and Opinions:
The Secret History of Guns - The Atlantic
Interactive Map of State Proposed Gun Laws - USA Today
Everything you need to know about Obama’s gun control plan - Washington Post
