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Story:
D.C. Gun Ban Appeal Could Change National Policy , 09/12/07
Reading Comprehension Questions: 1. What issue has the District of Columbia asked the U.S. Supreme Court to consider?
2. What is the specific law in question?
3. How did the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit rule on the D.C. handgun ban? On what did it base its conclusions?
4. Explain the difference between the "individual" interpretation of the Second Amendment and the "collective" interpretation. Why is this issue so significant?
5. Explain the positions of gun control advocates and gun rights advocates. How might a decision impact each group's viewpoint?
6. How might the makeup of the Supreme Court impact this case?
Discussion Activity (more research might be needed): 1. Pretend you are a member of the U.S. Supreme Court. Research the specific D.C. law and arguments both for and against the handgun ban. What do you think? How would you decide this case? In which camp does your opinion fall? 2. What are the gun laws in your city or state? How do they compare to the D.C. law? 3. Looking to the history of the United States, why do you think the issue of gun control is so important to so many Americans? Cite specific historical references in your answer. 4. What is the international perspective on this issue? Where are there similar debates over gun ownership? Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra (extra@newshour.org). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site. |