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Second Amendment Issues. “….the right to bear arms shall not be infringed.”. Why is this an issue?. 1999 Columbine S chool shooting kills 15, injures 21 2011 Tuscon Shooting AZ representative Gabby Giffords shot through brain (6 people died included AZ judge)
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Second Amendment Issues “….the right to bear arms shall not be infringed.”
Why is this an issue? • 1999 Columbine • School shooting kills 15, injures 21 • 2011 Tuscon Shooting • AZ representative Gabby Giffords shot through brain (6 people died included AZ judge) • 2012 Aurora Colorado Shooting • Gunman kills 12, wounds 70 in a movie theater • 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting • Adam Lanza kills 20 elementary children and 6 staff members at New Hampshire elementary school
Gun control advocates: • support stricter firearm laws: tougher background checks and longer waiting periods for those purchasing guns; mandatory child safety locks; a limit of one handgun purchase per month; and raising the legal age limit for ownership of guns to age 21 from the current age of 18. They believe these measures will curb the rise of gun-related violence.
Advocates of gun rights: • say such legislation would infringe on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. The National Rifle Association, a prominent voice in the gun debate, says firearm-control measures are unnecessary if lawmakers would enforce current laws.
Questions to Consider • Should school staff carry weapons? • Would that make school safer? • Interview with Wayne LaPierre
Questions to Consider • Should limitations be put on high capacity magazines? • What type of controls (if any) would you be willing to place on gun or ammunition ownership? • Interview with Wayne LaPierre
Questions to Consider • Do you support NYPD and Philadelphia Police Department’s “Stop, Question, and Frisk” policy that is targeted at getting illegal guns and other contraband off of city streets? • MSNBC Stop and Frisk Video
Questions to Consider • Why doesn’t congress act on the issue?
Recent Developments • As recently as this summer Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) co-sponsored legislation in congress to improve background checks • The bill failed to become law • At the time polls indicated that 90% of Americans supported increased background checks like those in the Toomey-Manchin bill • So why did it fail? • John Oliver (part 1) • John Oliver (part 2)
Most Recent Issue • Meet Antoinette Tuff