Gun ControlGun ControlCreated ByCreated By

Anna Forster & Ben VilaAnna Forster & Ben Vila

Introduction and HistoryIntroduction and History► Constitution ratified - arguments over “the right to Constitution ratified - arguments over “the right to

bear arms” and the legality of gun controlbear arms” and the legality of gun control► Second Amendment: “A well regulated Militia, being Second Amendment: “A well regulated Militia, being

necessary to the security of a free State, the right of necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”infringed.”

► 1939- 1939- United States v. MillerUnited States v. Miller asserted the “collective asserted the “collective rights” interpretation of the second amendment –rights” interpretation of the second amendment –right to bear arms with service in a militia. doesn’t right to bear arms with service in a militia. doesn’t guarantee the right to posses military style or guarantee the right to posses military style or unusual weapons like assault rifles and shotguns.unusual weapons like assault rifles and shotguns.

► ““individual right” interpretation of the Second individual right” interpretation of the Second Amendment -giving individuals the right to bear arms Amendment -giving individuals the right to bear arms and restricting government’s ability to regulateand restricting government’s ability to regulate

► National Rifle Association (NRA) growing in politics National Rifle Association (NRA) growing in politics and influence in Congressand influence in Congress

Pro and Con ExplanationPro and Con Explanation ProPro

► Cause millions of deaths by homicides, Cause millions of deaths by homicides, suicides, and accidentssuicides, and accidents

► Too easy for criminals to get a gunToo easy for criminals to get a gun should be tougher and stricter regulations should be tougher and stricter regulations

(background checks)(background checks)► Lax gun laws create illegal gun trafficking Lax gun laws create illegal gun trafficking

across state linesacross state lines States like Utah, Mississippi, and West Virginia States like Utah, Mississippi, and West Virginia

are the largest exporters of illegal gunsare the largest exporters of illegal guns► Columbine, Virginia Tech examples of loose Columbine, Virginia Tech examples of loose

gun laws and their devastating effectsgun laws and their devastating effects

Pro and Con ExplanationPro and Con Explanation

ConCon

► 2nd Amendment protects individuals’ right 2nd Amendment protects individuals’ right to posses firearmsto posses firearms

► Millions of Americans use guns for legitimate Millions of Americans use guns for legitimate reasonsreasons protection against crime, sport, and huntingprotection against crime, sport, and hunting

► Right to protect themselves and their Right to protect themselves and their families in case of criminal activityfamilies in case of criminal activity

► If more people owned and carried guns, If more people owned and carried guns, crime could be stopped quicker and more crime could be stopped quicker and more effectivelyeffectively

Recent Developments Recent Developments

► June 28, 2010 June 28, 2010 Chicago vs. McDonaldChicago vs. McDonald Victory for opposers of gun rights Victory for opposers of gun rights ““right to bear arms” diminishes of right to bear arms” diminishes of

state/local authorities to controlstate/local authorities to control Previously one of the strictest in nationPreviously one of the strictest in nation City’s ban is effectively deadCity’s ban is effectively dead

Recent DevelopmentsRecent Developments

►May, 2009 Obama signed consumer-May, 2009 Obama signed consumer-protection credit card billprotection credit card bill Attached provision allowing visitors to Attached provision allowing visitors to

national parks to carry loaded and national parks to carry loaded and concealed weaponsconcealed weapons

Law and provision completely unrelatedLaw and provision completely unrelated

►Shows influence of against Gun Shows influence of against Gun Control Interest Groups in politicsControl Interest Groups in politics

Evidence/StatisticsEvidence/Statistics

Pro Gun Control DisplayPro Gun Control Display

New York Times pg. 1

Con Gun Control DisplayCon Gun Control DisplayCrimes per 100,000 population

Total Violen

t Crime

       

       

Aggravated

AssaultYear Murder RapeRobb

ery

1991 758.1 9.8 42.3 272.7 433.3

2008 457.5 5.4 29.7 145.7 276.7

2009 429.4 5.0 28.7 133.0 262.8

Trend, 2008-2009 -6% -8% -4% -9% -5%

Trend, 1991-2009 -43% -49% -32% -51% -39%

  

http://www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?id=206

Murder has fallen 49 percent to a 45-year low.   At the same time, the number of guns that Americans own has risen by about 90 million

Special Interest GroupsSpecial Interest GroupsThe National Rifle Association (NRA):The National Rifle Association (NRA):Mission statement:Mission statement: Established in 1990, the NRA Foundation, Inc., is a Established in 1990, the NRA Foundation, Inc., is a

501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearms-related public interest activities of the of firearms-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. These activities are designed to promote firearms These activities are designed to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports, and to of those participating in the shooting sports, and to educate the general public about firearms in their educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context. (Taken historic, technological and artistic context. (Taken from the NRA Website)from the NRA Website)

Special Interest GroupSpecial Interest GroupThe Brady Campaign:The Brady Campaign:Mission statementMission statement: : We are devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, We are devoted to creating an America free from gun violence,

where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities. The Brady Campaign works to pass and in our communities. The Brady Campaign works to pass and enforce sensible federal and state gun laws, regulations, and enforce sensible federal and state gun laws, regulations, and public policies through grassroots activism, electing public public policies through grassroots activism, electing public officials who support common sense gun laws, and increasing officials who support common sense gun laws, and increasing public awareness of gun violence. Through our Million Mom public awareness of gun violence. Through our Million Mom March and Brady Chapters, we work locally to educate people March and Brady Chapters, we work locally to educate people about the dangers of guns, honor victims of gun violence, and about the dangers of guns, honor victims of gun violence, and pass sensible gun laws, believing that all Americans, pass sensible gun laws, believing that all Americans, especially children, have the right to live free from the threat especially children, have the right to live free from the threat of gun violence. The Brady Center works to reformof gun violence. The Brady Center works to reform the gun the gun industry by enacting and enforcing sensible regulations to industry by enacting and enforcing sensible regulations to reduce gun violence, including regulations governing the gun reduce gun violence, including regulations governing the gun industry. In addition, we represent victims of gun violence in industry. In addition, we represent victims of gun violence in the courts. We educate the public about gun violence through the courts. We educate the public about gun violence through litigation, grassroots mobilization, and outreach to affected litigation, grassroots mobilization, and outreach to affected communities. (Taken from the Brady Campaign’s Website)communities. (Taken from the Brady Campaign’s Website)

Political Parties on Gun Political Parties on Gun ControlControl

►RepublicanRepublican: : Open more public land to hunting – Open more public land to hunting –

increasing access to huntersincreasing access to hunters No frivolous gun lawsuits, no gun licensing- No frivolous gun lawsuits, no gun licensing-

oppose federal licensing of law abiding gun oppose federal licensing of law abiding gun owners owners

Will protect right to bear arms- will hold Will protect right to bear arms- will hold criminals accountable for crimes but criminals accountable for crimes but oppose invasion of law abiding citizens oppose invasion of law abiding citizens privacyprivacy

Political Parties on Gun Political Parties on Gun ControlControl

►Democratic: Democratic: Reauthorize assault weapons ban, close gun Reauthorize assault weapons ban, close gun

show loophole- keeps guns away from criminals show loophole- keeps guns away from criminals and terrorists by banning assault weaponand terrorists by banning assault weapon

Strengthen gun control to reduce violenceStrengthen gun control to reduce violence- - should require a photo license I.D., a background should require a photo license I.D., a background check, and a gun safety test to buy a new check, and a gun safety test to buy a new handgunhandgun

Political Parties on Gun Political Parties on Gun ControlControl

►Libertarian:Libertarian: Affirm the right to keep and bear arms- Affirm the right to keep and bear arms-

oppose the requiring registration of, or oppose the requiring registration of, or restricting, the ownership, manufacture, restricting, the ownership, manufacture, or transfer or sale of firearms or or transfer or sale of firearms or ammunitionammunition

Repeal all gun control laws and Repeal all gun control laws and regulation of weapons- favor the repeal of regulation of weapons- favor the repeal of laws banning the concealment of weapons laws banning the concealment of weapons or elimination of pocket weaponsor elimination of pocket weapons

Public Opinion PollsPublic Opinion Polls►Before Shootings Before Shootings www.gallup.comwww.gallup.com

Public Opinion PollPublic Opinion Poll

►After After

ShootingsShootings

www.gallup.comwww.gallup.com

Extra InformationExtra InformationPA State LawsPA State Laws

► Permit to purchase, registration of firearms, Permit to purchase, registration of firearms, licensing of owners not required (rifles, shotguns, licensing of owners not required (rifles, shotguns, and handguns)and handguns)

► Permit to carry required for handguns (but not rifles Permit to carry required for handguns (but not rifles or shotguns)or shotguns)

► Require criminal background checks on all handgun Require criminal background checks on all handgun purchasespurchases

► State Constitutional Revision: State Constitutional Revision: ““The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of

themselves and the State shall not be questioned.” Article themselves and the State shall not be questioned.” Article I, Section 21.I, Section 21.

► Scale of 25/100 on Brady scale. mid-range. Scale of 25/100 on Brady scale. mid-range. ““common sense laws but more needs to be done”common sense laws but more needs to be done”

Extra InformationExtra InformationComparative State LawsComparative State Laws

► California:California:Nation’s strongest gun laws, 79/100 on the Brady scaleNation’s strongest gun laws, 79/100 on the Brady scale► Gun dealers must be a CA licensed firearm dealerGun dealers must be a CA licensed firearm dealer► An application for sale must be submitted—contains a description of An application for sale must be submitted—contains a description of

the buyer and the firearm they are trying to purchasethe buyer and the firearm they are trying to purchase► CA DOJ conducts a background check on all purchasersCA DOJ conducts a background check on all purchasers► When buying must present CA Driver’s License, give their right When buying must present CA Driver’s License, give their right

thumbprint, and provide proof of CA residencethumbprint, and provide proof of CA residence► Permit required to have a registered “assault weapons” Permit required to have a registered “assault weapons” ► Utah:Utah: ► Nation’s weakest gun laws, 0/100 on Brady scaleNation’s weakest gun laws, 0/100 on Brady scale► No state permit to purchase or possess a rifle, shotgun, or handgunNo state permit to purchase or possess a rifle, shotgun, or handgun► Background checks required for all purchases Background checks required for all purchases unless purchaser unless purchaser

has a valid concealed firearm permithas a valid concealed firearm permit► To obtain firearm permit - $60 and a class from a registered Utah To obtain firearm permit - $60 and a class from a registered Utah

gun safety instructor gun safety instructor ► firearm permits are valid in 32 other states, firearm permits are valid in 32 other states, including PAincluding PA

VisualsVisuals

VideoVideo

►http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_YTM_eAWnQv=j_YTM_eAWnQ

►http://video.nytimes.com/video/http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/03/02/us/1247467236640/2010/03/02/us/1247467236640/supreme-court-takes-up-gun-control-supreme-court-takes-up-gun-control-case.htmlcase.html

Works CitedWorks Cited► "Gun Control - News - Times Topics - The New York Times." Times Topics. "Gun Control - News - Times Topics - The New York Times." Times Topics.

The New York Times, 28 June 2010. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. The New York Times, 28 June 2010. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/g/gun_contr<http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/g/gun_control/index.html?scp=1-spot&sq=gun control&st=cse>.ol/index.html?scp=1-spot&sq=gun control&st=cse>.

► Muir, David, and Carmen Perez. "Gun Show Loophole Still Not Closed." Muir, David, and Carmen Perez. "Gun Show Loophole Still Not Closed." ABCNews.com. 17 Apr. 2010. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. ABCNews.com. 17 Apr. 2010. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. <http://abcnews.go.com/WN/gun-show-loophole-closed/story?<http://abcnews.go.com/WN/gun-show-loophole-closed/story?id=10404727>.id=10404727>.

► LII – Legal Information Institute of Cornell University. “District of Columbia LII – Legal Information Institute of Cornell University. “District of Columbia v. Heller”. Supreme Court of the United Statesv. Heller”. Supreme Court of the United States.. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. < Web. 11 Oct. 2010. <http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/07-290.ZS.htmlhttp://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/07-290.ZS.html>>

► ---. “McDonald v. City of Chicago, Illinois.” Supreme Court of The United ---. “McDonald v. City of Chicago, Illinois.” Supreme Court of The United StatesStates.. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. Web. 11 Oct. 2010.

► The Supreme Court of the United States. “Syllabus: McDonald v. City of The Supreme Court of the United States. “Syllabus: McDonald v. City of Chicago, Illinois.” Web. 28 June 2010. 11 Oct. 2010. Chicago, Illinois.” Web. 28 June 2010. 11 Oct. 2010. <http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-1521.pdf><http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-1521.pdf>

► Lichtblau, Eric. “Lax State Gun Laws Tied to Crimes in Other States.” The Lichtblau, Eric. “Lax State Gun Laws Tied to Crimes in Other States.” The New York Times. Newspaper, accessed on Web. 26 Sept 2010. 12 Oct 2010. New York Times. Newspaper, accessed on Web. 26 Sept 2010. 12 Oct 2010.

<http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/politics/27guns.html?<http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/politics/27guns.html?scp=5&sq=&st=nyt>scp=5&sq=&st=nyt>

Works Cited ContinuedWorks Cited Continued► The National Rifle Association Institute for Legal Action. “Firearms Laws for The National Rifle Association Institute for Legal Action. “Firearms Laws for

Pennsylvania.” Web. Feb 2010. 12 Oct 2010. Pennsylvania.” Web. Feb 2010. 12 Oct 2010. <http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/PASL.pdf><http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/PASL.pdf>

► ---. “Firearms Laws for California.” Web. July 2010. 12 Oct 2010. ---. “Firearms Laws for California.” Web. July 2010. 12 Oct 2010. <http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/CASL.pdf><http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/CASL.pdf>

► ---. “Firearms Laws for Utah.” Web. May 2009. 12 Oct 2010. ---. “Firearms Laws for Utah.” Web. May 2009. 12 Oct 2010. <http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/UTSL.pdf><http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/UTSL.pdf>

► The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Brady State Scorecard: California. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Brady State Scorecard: California. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.bradycampaign.org/stategunlaws/scorecard/CA><http://www.bradycampaign.org/stategunlaws/scorecard/CA>

► ---. Brady State Scorecard: Pennsylvania. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. ---. Brady State Scorecard: Pennsylvania. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.bradycampaign.org/stategunlaws/scorecard/PA/><http://www.bradycampaign.org/stategunlaws/scorecard/PA/>

► ---. Brady State Scorecard: Utah. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. ---. Brady State Scorecard: Utah. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.bradycampaign.org/stategunlaws/scorecard/UT/><http://www.bradycampaign.org/stategunlaws/scorecard/UT/>

► Katharine Ham, Mary. “Meet Otis McDonald: The Man Behind the SCOTUS Katharine Ham, Mary. “Meet Otis McDonald: The Man Behind the SCOTUS Chicago Gun Case.” The Weekly Standard. Magazine, accessed on Web. 2 March Chicago Gun Case.” The Weekly Standard. Magazine, accessed on Web. 2 March 2010. 12 Oct 2010. <http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/meet-otis-2010. 12 Oct 2010. <http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/meet-otis-mcdonald-man-behind-scotus-chicago-gun-case>mcdonald-man-behind-scotus-chicago-gun-case>

► Frosch, Dan. “Utah’s Gun Permit Popular With Nonresidents”. The New York Frosch, Dan. “Utah’s Gun Permit Popular With Nonresidents”. The New York Times. Newspaper, accessed on Web. 5 July 2010. 13 Oct 2010. Times. Newspaper, accessed on Web. 5 July 2010. 13 Oct 2010. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/us/06guns.html?_r=1><http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/us/06guns.html?_r=1>