Mass Shootings in the US

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Mass Shootings 

in the 

United States

You have just watched a part of a speech, which was broadcast by CNBC on 24 March 2021. Which part of what you've just watched stands out for you most and why?

Today's lesson

• Mass shootings in the USA
• Introduction to the 2nd Amendment
• Possible solutions?

• Thinking about a difficult topic
• Putting thoughts into words
• Preparing a debate

The American Constitution

The Constitution is the highest form of law in the country. 

It creates the branches of government and gives them the power to govern. 

It also protects the citizens of the United States and guarantees their basic rights.

Amendments

• Can be proposed by either a 2/3 vote in Congress, including the House of Representatives as well as the Senate, or a national convention made up of 2/3 of the states.
• All current amendments were proposed by Congress.
  
• After that it has to be ratified (= made official) by either 3/4 of the state legislatures or by state conventions in 3/4 of the states.
  
• There are 27 amendments

What is stated in the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution?

1. The people's rights to freedom of religion, speech, assembly
2. The fact that militia are needed to keep the country safe and the people's rights to bear arms
3. The government is not allowed to place troops in private homes
4. The government is not allowed to perform unreasonable search and seizure of property

In the 1990s, the NRA and US Conservatives went to court.
What is the NRA?

1. National Revolutionary Army
2. National Resident Alliance
3. National Rifle Association
4. Nationwide Revolutionary Alliance

Assault Weapons Ban (1994-2004)

• Assault weapons are semi-automatic weapons  with a large magazine that are used in combat
• The exact definition varies per state
• The Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act of 1994, a.k.a. the Federal Assault Weapons Ban  ended in 2004.
• A new attempt on introducing a ban failed in Congress in 2013.

Assignment

• Prepare a debate
• Do research!
• Find the worksheet and the feedback sheet in the study guide
• To be handed in via Magister Opdrachten
• One debate: next Thursday: 1 April (yes, I am certain of it)
• Second debate: next Friday: 2 April