Sample Election Issues Presentation Mrs. Civitella

Historical background of Gun Control 1791 Second 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." 1934 National Firearms Act $200 Tax on each gun purchase 1938 Federal Firearms Act Required gun owners to attain a license 1968Gun Control Act Regulation of interstate and foreign gun sales Guns could not be sold to felons or mentally incompetent people 1986 Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act Made armor piercing ammunition illegal 1986Firearms Owners Protection Act Eased restrictions on gun sellers while increasing penalties on felons who illegally shop for guns

Historical background of Gun Control 1990 Crime Control Act Created Drug Free School Zones and made possession of a firearm with the zone a felony 1994Brady Hand Gun Required background checks and 5 day waiting period for all gun purchases Authorized the FBI to create and monitor a national criminal background check and database 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act Banned assault weapons 1999 Brady Law Amendment Requirement of trigger locks on handguns 2008District of Columbia v. Heller The Supreme Court overturned a D.C. law banning handguns saying that it violated the 2 nd Amendment

A. Following the Tucson shootings in January, 2011, gun control groups have proposed bills to: 1. Create gun-free zones around members of congress 2. Ban magazine style ammuntion B. Recent Court decisions are calling into question gun laws in light of the 2 nd Amendment

FOR GUN CONTROLAGAINST GUN CONTROL Reduces violent crimes Reduces the chance that minors, criminals, and the mentally unstable can commit crimes using guns Victims with guns may be subjected to more violence than if unarmed Lessens suicides and crimes of passion Lessens the likelihood of gun accidents Against the 2 nd Amendment Criminals can always get around gun restrictions Victims are safer with guns Women and weaker victims can defend themselves better with guns Citizens with guns can help prevent terrorists or foreign attacks Police are too busy to protect all citizens Banning guns creates more black markets and crime Gun safety and education can lessen gun accidents

Obama/Democratic position on Gun Control A. Reauthorize the assault weapons ban (in effect from ) B. Close the gun show loophole A. Strengthen existing gun control laws

Republican Party position on Gun Control Will protect the right to bear arms Varies from candidate to candidate based on their constituency Ronald Reagan supported gun control after the assassination attempt and critical injury to press secretary Jim Brady

Mit Romney on Gun Control Supported the Brady Bill Now against further gun control regulations

Rick Perry on Gun Control Opposes gun control legislation

Michele Bachman on Gun Control Wants to protect the 2 nd Amendment Wants a national cross-state standard for conceal and carry Ban gun registration and trigger law in Washington, D.C.