1. “The Most Controversial Issue in American Politics”
Gun Control
“The Most Controversial Issue in American Politics”
By Max, Zach, and Gary
Period 6

2. Key Facts 70-80 million Americans own a gun
40-45% of homes in US have a gun (2011)
Firearms caused 68% of murders in 2010
A mountain of confiscated smuggled guns collected in Nairobi, Kenya

3. History
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.”
Constitution- "To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms, and be taught alike especially when young, how to use them."
The Federal Gun Free School Zone Act in 1995, cant be within 1,000 feet of a school with possession of a firearm

4. Legal and Constitutional Significance
2nd amendment – protects the right of an individual to own a firearm
Columbia vs. Heller (2008)
Firearms can be used for self defense
McDonald vs. Chicago (2010)
States can determine gun laws

5. Support/Oppose Support Oppose
67% of Americans that own a licensed gun said they use it for “defense against crime”
70% of male prisoners in jails across the country said they knew someone who attempted a robbery but was scared away by the owners’ possession of a gun
Firearms caused 55% of suicides (2006)
There have been 11 presidential assassination attempts (all using guns)
Guns are unsafe and cause unnecessary violence in a community
Do you think that every American should be allowed to carry a gun whenever they want?

6. Current Status Ownership of Guns: Households with a gun= 40-45%
Adults owning a gun=30-34%
Adults owning a handgun=17-19%
Reasons for having a gun:
Protection against crime=67%
Target Shooting=66%
Hunting:41%
Laws:
Guns allowed in streets with a license= 39 States
Federal Gun Free School Zone Act of 1995= Guns at least 1000 feet away from a school
Federal law = restricts who can own, possess, or sell a gun
Brady Act= Certain scenarios people can’t use a gun
The National Firearms Act= gun must be specifically registered to a possessor of a gun
Many states consider ones guns laws of the state they come from when they go to another state while others don’t.

7. Future of Gun Control Keeping and bearing arms is limited
Officials will address the gun control problems.
Obama’s officials want to reduce gun control.
General public wants to reduce gun control.
Gun control will be limited further than it is today.

8. Recent Occurrences
April 16, 2007 – Seung-Hui Cho kills 32 people in the Virginia Tech Massacre
Cho was able to purchase handguns without detection after being declared mentally unstable
July 20, 2012 – James Holmes kills 12 people in the Aurora movie theater shooting
Holmes had “easy access” to assault weapons through the Colorado state firearm policy

9. Sources
Just Facts : Gun Control
Wikipedia : Gun Control
Do Something : Facts about guns
Wikipedia : Virginia Tech Massacre
Wikipedia : 2012 Aurora shooting