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Gun Control in the U.S. Jake, Garrett, Ali, and Julianne. Firearms. Handguns Rifles Shotguns. Ownership. 16,272 murders were committed in the United States during 2008. Crime and Self-Defense. Right-to-Carry Laws.
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Gun Control in the U.S. Jake, Garrett, Ali, and Julianne
Firearms • Handguns • Rifles • Shotguns
16,272 murders were committed in the United States during 2008. Crime and Self-Defense
Right-to-Carry Laws • Each state has its own laws regarding right-to-carry and falls into one of three main categories: 1) "shall-issue" states, where concealed carry permits are issued to all qualified applicants
Right-to-Carry Laws • 2) "may-issue" states, where applicants must often present a reason for carrying a firearm to an issuing authority, who then decides based on his or her discretion whether the applicant will receive a permit
Right-to-Carry Laws • 3) "no-issue" states, where concealed carry is generally forbidden
As of January 2012… • 40 states are shall-issue • 9 states are may-issue
Constitution • In the Bill of Rights, the Second Amendment to the Constitution 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.
Supreme Court Decisions • D.C. v Heller • McDonald v Chicago
Against Gun Control • Current law • Crime statistics • Personal protection
The Law • 2nd amendment gives American citizens the right to bare arms (est. December 15, 1791) • The National Firearms act makes it unlawful for a person to have a firearm that they are not properly registered to • Background checks
The Law • Under the Brady Act (February 28, 1994), you cannot own a gun if you: • 1. Were convicted of a crime punishable by being in prison for more than one year • 2. Are a fugitive from justice • 3. Are addicted to, or illegally use, any controlled substance • 4. Have been ruled mentally defective by a court • 5. Are an illegal alien living in the United States unlawfully • 6. Received a dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces • ETC…
Crime Increase • Illegal guns = illegal tactics • Illegal tactics = more crime
Since the outset of the Florida right-to-carry law, the Florida murder rate has averaged 36% lower than it was before the law took effect, while the U.S. murder rate has averaged 15% lower
Since the outset of the Texas right-to-carry law, the Texas murder rate has averaged 30% lower than it was before the law took effect, while the U.S. murder rate has averaged 28% lower
Protection • Protect themselves • No protection from government
Pro Gun Control • People rarely actually need to use guns for self defense • According to the NCVS, guns are only used defensively about 100,000 times each year, and I’m sure in some of these cases they aren’t even really necessary • Also says that guns are much more likely to kill an innocent person (in the house) than a thief or intruder
Pro Gun Control • Keeping a gun in the home actually increases chances of violence • A study by the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that having a gun in the household increases the chance of homicide by 2.7 and the chance of suicide by 4.8
Pro Gun Control • Countries such as the UK, Japan and Australia ban guns and have significantly lower gun crime rates than the US • Violence is associated with guns, guns promoted, violence promoted
Pro Gun Control • Moderation is always good • nobody needs a high power assault weapon • If it becomes harder to be able to buy a gun (more background checks), the likelihood of bad natured people buying them has to go down somewhat
Pro Gun Control • Currently in 33 states, people can buy guns at gun shows WITHOUT a background check
Interest Groups Pro Gun Control • Children’s Defense • Thinks that gun control has to do with protecting the children of the US • 3,184 children died from guns in 2006 • Coalition to Stop Gun Violence • Promote banning guns but know that is not completely realistic • Try to do everything to put more control on guns
Republican Viewpoint • Republicans as well as presidents such as George W. Bush agree with the individual right to own a gun. • Reasoning
Libertarian Viewpoint • Libertarians as well as Republicans are against gun control. • They believe it is an outdated and unnecessary prohibition effort. • Reasoning
Democratic Viewpoint • They want to protect the 2nd amendement right, and keep firearms out of the wrong hands. • Reauthorize the assault weapons ban • Close the gun show loophole • Want ID required at purchase, background check and a gun safety test • Reduced gun crime by 35% since 1992
Video Gun Control
Discussion Question • Do you think there should be gun control in the U.S. today?
Discussion Question • Which political party’s views do you most agree with?
Quiz • What is the Libertarian Viewpoint on gun control? • Which bill gave details to “background checks”? • Is Obama for or against gun control? • What decision was made in the D.C. v. Heller trial?