Summary
President Biden visited Monterey Park, California, where a mass shooting in January killed 11 people. He announced an executive order to tackle gun violence, building on the bipartisan Safer Communities Act that he signed last year. Biden called for more background checks on gun purchases and a crackdown on dealers who violate existing laws. For a transcript of this story, click here . News wrap alternative : Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching! You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.Five Facts
- Who is this story about?
- Where did Biden make his announcement and what had happened in January at that location?
- How does Biden's executive action (a move from the executive office to shift federal policy without new laws from Congress) seek to address gun violence?
- What is the "Safer Communities Act"?
- Why are Biden's "hands tied" from taking bigger steps to address gun violence just through executive actions?
Focus Questions
What do you think is the best non-legislative (that is, not related to passing new laws) way to reduce gun violence? Media literacy : How could you find out more about background checks for firearms and how they work at the federal and state levels? Alternative : See, Think, Wonder : What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?For More
What students can do : Discuss — why is gun legislation so difficult to pass? To help understand, read the following article on the most recent standards set by the Supreme Court on the constitutionality of gun laws. What standards have changed with the most recent Bruen decision? What sort of laws would now potentially be struck down on constitutional grounds?Supreme Court ruling creates turmoil over gun laws in lower courts
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