The 2nd Amendment WebQuest
HOW NECESSARY IS THE Second AMENDMENT?
The 2nd Amendment remains one the most controversial amendments today. Its pros and cons are continuously debated
from the halls of Congress, to town meetings, to the classroom and even the dinner table. What exactly does the “right
to bear arms” mean in 21st century America? What was the founders’ intent? Is it necessary today? Is it an essential
right that should not be infringed? What are its implications for society?
You will use the Internet to discover more about the history, controversy, and effectiveness of the 2nd amendment.
DIRECTIONS FOR TURNING THE ASSIGNMENT IN
The finished products will be typed in a separate Word document, and sent to agleim@greeneccc.com. You may also
write your answers in by hand and submit a paper copy. This will be completed individually. You may not share
answers with anyone else. You will have three consecutive days in class to complete this assignment – it is due by the
end of the third class session. (i.e. assigned on a Monday, due at the end of class Wednesday) ***NOTE: I reserve
the right to change the amount of time given in class to work on this assignment.
Part of your grade on this assignment will be your work ethic. I will be walking around the room and noting whether or
not you are working. If you spend your time off-task, sleeping, etc. your grade on this assignment will reflect that fact.
I.
Type/write out the 2nd amendment. Put it in a font size larger than the rest of your assignment. Don’t cut
and paste – actually type/write it out! (Yes, seriously. Type or write it out. It’s one sentence long.)
II.
Read the Bill of Rights handout (located on the same website where you found these directions) and answer
the following questions. Let me know if you would like me to print out the handout for you.
1.
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III.
IV.
What are the English (British) origins of the right to bear arms?
Discuss what the colonists thought of guns, and what they used guns for.
Describe the two inspirations from which the idea of “right to bear arms” comes from.
When the Second Amendment describes “militia”, to whom does it refer?
Does the Supreme Court believe that US Congress should regulate guns?
Create a table with two columns. (Insert  Table  2 x 1 Table). Label one side “pro-gun” and the
other side “anti-gun”. Using the article, use bullet points and explain how each side feels.
Go to this website: http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/guns_in_america/html/framesource.html and answer
the following questions:
1. Under kids and guns- Which statistic is most shocking/saddening/surprising to you? Why?
You will have to search for the answers to these questions on your own:
i. What does NRA stand for? When were they founded?
ii. Why is the 1968 Gun Control Act significant?
iii. What is the Brady Bill? When was it passed? Who is James (Jim) Brady?
iv. In 2008, the US Supreme Court made a significant ruling on gun rights in DC v. Heller. What
did the Supreme Court rule?
2. Click around the rest of the features on this website and write down something else interesting
you’ve learned.
V.
Go to this website:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2012/07/2012726141159587596.html
1. Create a numbered list of the top five and bottom five states in terms of gun death rate. List the state as
well as its rate.
2. Create a numbered list of the top five and bottom five states in terms of rate of firearm ownership. List
the state as well as its rate.
3. What is Ohio’s gun death rate and rate of firearm ownership? Where do we rank on each category?
4. Overall, is there a relationship between gun death rate and rate of firearm ownership? Explain.
VI.
Go to this website:
http://www.bradycampaign.org/sites/default/files/2011_Brady_Campaign_State_Scorecard_Ranki
ngs.pdf
1. What state ranks highest on the Brady Campaign’s State Scorecard? Name the state, its score,
and how many stars does it get? What does this star rating mean?
2. What three states are tied for lowest ranking? Name the states, their score, and the number of
stars given. What does this star rating mean?
3. What is Ohio’s ranking, score, and star rating?
4. Look at your answers to Part IV (or go back to the website if that’s easier). Is there a
consistent relationship between gun death rate and its Brady Campaign State Scorecard rating?
Discuss a few specific states in your answer.
VII.
Go to this website: http://nrapvf.org/news-alerts/2012/10/nra-pvf-endorses-romney-and-ryan.aspx
1. Why did the NRA endorse Romney and Ryan in the most recent presidential election?
2. According to the article, why does the NRA oppose Obama?
VIII.
In your opinion, should it be made more difficult for citizens to purchase and carry guns in America?
Support your stance with evidence from everything you have read in the process of completing this
WebQuest. You are encouraged to use additional outside sources as well. Make sure to cite your sources.
You will write at least two paragraphs.
To answer a few commonly asked questions:
 Yes, you are required to work on this during class time.
 Yes, you really will lose points for being off-task.
 No, you cannot “finish this at home”.
 Yes, this is an individual assignment.
 No, you may not share your answers with someone else.
 Yes, you may listen to music with headphones at a low volume.
If you have any other questions while you work, please let me know.