Gun Control in the U.S.

Firearms 1. Handguns 2. Rifles 3. Shotguns

Ownership Households With a Gun Adults Owning a Gun Adults Owning a Handgun Percentage 40-45%30-34%17-19% Number47-53 million million million

Crime and Self-Defense 16,272 murders were committed in the United States during 2008.

Right-to-Carry Laws Each state has its own laws regarding right-to-carry and falls into one of three main categories: 1) "shall-issue" states, where concealed carry permits are issued to all qualified applicants 1) "shall-issue" states, where concealed carry permits are issued to all qualified applicants

Right-to-Carry Laws 2) "may-issue" states, where applicants must often present a reason for carrying a firearm to an issuing authority, who then decides based on his or her discretion whether the applicant will receive a permit

Right-to-Carry Laws 3) "no-issue" states, where concealed carry is generally forbidden

As of January 2012… 40 states are shall-issue 9 states are may-issue

Constitution In the Bill of Rights, the Second Amendment to the Constitution reads: In the Bill of Rights, the Second Amendment to the Constitution reads: 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.

Supreme Court Decisions D.C. v Heller McDonald v Chicago

Against Gun Control Current law Crime statistics Personal protection

The Law 2 nd amendment gives American citizens the right to bare arms (est. December 15, 1791) The National Firearms act makes it unlawful for a person to have a firearm that they are not properly registered to Background checks

The Law Under the Brady Act (February 28, 1994), you cannot own a gun if you: 1. Were convicted of a crime punishable by being in prison for more than one year 2. Are a fugitive from justice 3. Are addicted to, or illegally use, any controlled substance 4. Have been ruled mentally defective by a court 5. Are an illegal alien living in the United States unlawfully 6. Received a dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces ETC…

Crime Increase Illegal guns = illegal tactics Illegal tactics = more crime

Since the outset of the Florida right-to-carry law, the Florida murder rate has averaged 36% lower than it was before the law took effect, while the U.S. murder rate has averaged 15% lower

Since the outset of the Texas right-to-carry law, the Texas murder rate has averaged 30% lower than it was before the law took effect, while the U.S. murder rate has averaged 28% lower

Protection Protect themselves No protection from government

Pro Gun Control People rarely actually need to use guns for self defense –According to the NCVS, guns are only used defensively about 100,000 times each year, and Im sure in some of these cases they arent even really necessary –Also says that guns are much more likely to kill an innocent person (in the house) than a thief or intruder

Pro Gun Control Keeping a gun in the home actually increases chances of violence –A study by the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that having a gun in the household increases the chance of homicide by 2.7 and the chance of suicide by 4.8

Pro Gun Control Countries such as the UK, Japan and Australia ban guns and have significantly lower gun crime rates than the US Violence is associated with guns, guns promoted, violence promoted

Pro Gun Control Moderation is always good –nobody needs a high power assault weapon –If it becomes harder to be able to buy a gun (more background checks), the likelihood of bad natured people buying them has to go down somewhat

Pro Gun Control Currently in 33 states, people can buy guns at gun shows WITHOUT a background check

Interest Groups Pro Gun Control Childrens Defense –Thinks that gun control has to do with protecting the children of the US –3,184 children died from guns in 2006 Coalition to Stop Gun Violence –Promote banning guns but know that is not completely realistic –Try to do everything to put more control on guns

Republican Viewpoint Republicans as well as presidents such as George W. Bush agree with the individual right to own a gun. Reasoning

Libertarian Viewpoint Libertarians as well as Republicans are against gun control. They believe it is an outdated and unnecessary prohibition effort. Reasoning

Democratic Viewpoint They want to protect the 2 nd amendement right, and keep firearms out of the wrong hands. Reauthorize the assault weapons ban Close the gun show loophole Want ID required at purchase, background check and a gun safety test Reduced gun crime by 35% since 1992

Public Opinion Poll

Video Gun Control Gun Control

Cartoon

Discussion Question Do you think there should be gun control in the U.S. today?

Discussion Question Which political partys views do you most agree with?

Quiz What is the Libertarian Viewpoint on gun control? Which bill gave details to background checks? Is Obama for or against gun control? What decision was made in the D.C. v. Heller trial?