Subject:  Government
Topic:  The Bill Of Rights And The Second Amendment
Grade Level:  12
Student Lesson name and URL:  Guns and the Second Amendment.  http://ctap295.ctaponline.org/~kvelarde/student/

12.2  Students evaluate and take and defend positions on the scope and limits of rights and obligations as democratic citizens, the relationships among them, and how they are secured.
 

1. Discuss the meaning and importance of each of the rights guaranteed under the Bill of Rights and how each is secured.
2. Describe the reciprocity between rights and obligations; that is, why enjoyment of one's rights entails respect for the rights of others.

1. List the main freedoms designated by the Framers of the Constitution, in the Bill of Rights, and  give examples of these freedoms as they relate to their lives.
2. Analyze the meaning of the Second Amendment as written and discuss  the implications of  this historic freedom in light of societal and technological changes.
3. Outline the arguements for and against gun control as presented by the National Rifle Association and Handgun Control, Inc.
4. Conduct a class debate on the Second Amendment and gun control efforts.  In particular, students will be asked to judge the intent of the law as written in the Bill of Rights and recommend a reasonable interpretation for the 21st. century.
5. Write an official letter, to a political leader, in which they will state a position on gun control and evaluate opposing arguments on the issue.  They will also offer an analysis of the original written intent of this amendment as it should apply to our times. 

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Introductory Activity

This lesson will begin with a written brainstorming activity in which students will list as many of  the rights that they think are contained in the Bill of Rights and give examples of how these amendments relate to their lives.  Next, the class will watch "Profiles of Freedom:  A Living Bill of Rights."  by the Close Up Foundation http://www.closeup.org.  After the viewing, students will be given time to review their original concepts of the Bill of Rights.  Finally, students will be asked to focus on reading the Second Amendment and try to define its limits or the original intent of this document  as written by the framers of the Constitution. 

Enabling Activity

Students will view "To Keep and Bear Arms:  Gun Control and The Second Amendment" by the Close Up Foundation http://www.closeup.org and complete an historical background reading and handout activity sheet.

Enabling Activity

Students will access home pages for the National Rifle Association http://www.nra.org/ and Handgun Control, Inc. http://www.handguncontrol.org in order to read and evaluate arguments for and against gun control.  Students will be expected to write a summary of the arguments presented on each side of the debate and offer their own evaluation of the Second Amendment.

Enabling Activity

The class will participate in a debate on the original intent of the Second Amendment.  The students will also be asked to evaluate the impact of this particular right in light of changing technology, individual desire to feel safe, and the potential impact on a free society with unregulated gun ownership.

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Culminating Activity

Students will write a letter to a political leader, using a wordprocessing program, in which they will address the issues surrounding gun controls in relation to the Second Amendment.  They will also recommend possible solutions.  An e-mail letter may be used as long as a hardcopy is submitted for grading.

Assessment

Rubrics:  http://ctap295.ctaponline.org/~kvelarde/student/grade.html
 
  

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Web Resources & Supplementary Materials

Introductory Activity
http://www.closeup.org. 
Worksheet 1
Worksheet 2

Enabling Activity
http://www.nra.org/ and http://www.handguncontrol.org
Worksheet 3

Culminating Activity
president@whitehouse.gov

visepresident@whitehouse.gov

senator@boxer.senate.gov
senator@feinstein.senate.gov

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Final Presentation

Discovery High School
Yreka, CA
Kevin Velarde E-Mail: kvelarde@sisnet.ssku.k12.ca.us
Last Revised: 5/28/2001