GUNS Team trivia challenge

Question 1 Q. What is the #1 cause of hunting injuries? A. General carelessness B. Using the wrong-sized gun C. Mistaking humans for animals

Question 2 Q. What does the “AK” in AK-47 stand for? A. Auto-Kinetic B. Air-Kinesthetic C. Avtomat Kalashnikova

Question 3 Q. About how many deer are hunted each year? A. 1 million B. 6 million C. 20 million

Question 4 Q. During which century did the Chinese invent the gun? A. The 7th century B. The 10th century C. The 12th century

Question 5 Q. When was the first semi-automatic rifle built? A. 1885

The 2nd Amendment

Hypothetical Situation

Text of the 2nd Amendment “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.”

Video [Video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONqcBKhikfk

2 Interpretational Views Collective Rights Theory - Right for a state militia to “bear arms” Individual Right Theory – Right for individuals to “bear arms”

Historical Observations of the 2nd Amendment (1770s) American soldiers brought their own guns for combat—it would seem that individuals were assumed to own guns (1838) Barron vs. Baltimore – Although not precisely an issue over gun rights, this case ruled that the Bill of Rights were lists of restrictions that were solely over the Federal government, but not the State government. (1939) United States vs. Miller – The US Supreme Court ruled that a sawed-off shotgun could be regulated since this shotgun “has some reasonable relationship to the preservation or efficiency of a well regulated militia…” = Collective View (2008) District of Columbia vs. Heller – In a 5-4 decision, the US Supreme Court ruled that the handgun ban on individuals on Washington, D.C. was unconstitutional because it infringed on individual liberties. = Individual View [note: the Court did not approve of sawed-off shotgun usage, nor did it permit felons and mentally ill from firearm possession]

Morgan & Shapiro Video [Video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tUfPRNWlUM

Collective View (Analyzed) It asserts that the opening clause, “A well regulated militia” is the exclusive subject for the right to “bear arms” It argues that “the people” do have the “right to bear arms,” but this right is exercised through the protection of a state militia It does not believe that each and every American citizen has a constitutional right to own a firearm Response 1: What was of the Bill of Rights supposed to protect (state rights, individual rights, or both)? Response 2: What was the lifestyle among the Bill of Rights advocates? (hunters, outdoorsmen, etc.) Response 3: Are the religious and speech protections in the 1st Amendment for individuals? Why wouldn’t the 2nd Amendment be the same?

Protection from Tragedy Argument Sandy Hook Elementary

Individual View (Analyzed) It advocates that both state rights (a militia) and individual rights are protected in the 2nd Amendment—both reserve the right to “bear arms” It argues that a citizenry without the right to “bear arms” places too much power in an external force (the militia)—this lack of freedom is potentially dangerous Response 1: Doesn’t a “regulated” militia provide enough assurance? Response 2: Many other countries only place firearms in the hands of those in the military, and they don’t have anarchy, why won’t that work in the US? Response 3: Haven’t we learned our lessons from both the massacres and the horrific accidents that guns are violent weapons?

Further Thoughts The first appearance of the Collective Rights Theory did not seem to appear until 1939—over 150 years past the Bill of Rights’ legalization “Protection from Tragedy” is something both views want—each has its own method for achieving this The attempted “middle-ground” view—exceptions to hunting and self-defense on personal property (but disallows concealed or open carry)…Responses? All views have agendas for their positions—can you detect them from all sides of the spectrum?

Examples to Ponder: What about an ex-felon who has made clear changes in his/her life? What about a mentally-ill citizen—where can you draw the line? Should children have the same rights as adults regarding the 2nd Amendment? What should be the laws of public places, such as schools, government buildings, courts, etc.?

Debate Video [Video, start @ 49 sec] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APDo6d9jX80