Gun control
Focus Questions
1.
Discuss the Gun control story with another student. Record the main points of
your discussion.
2. What did the Prime Minister do in response to the Port Arthur tragedy in
1996?
3. Australia has some of the strictest gun laws in the world. True or false?
4. Many people in America see owning a gun as a ___________.
5. What percentage of households in America have a gun
a. 10%
b. 20%
c. 45%
6. What is the Second Amendment in the American Constitution?
7. How have guns changed since the Second Amendment was written?
8. What has happened to gun sales since the Colorado shooting?
9. Do you think stricter gun ownership laws are needed? Explain your answer.
10. How has your thinking changed since watching the BtN story?
Gun control debate
Ask students what they think is meant by `gun control’ and `gun rights’.
What do supporters of each side of the debate believe?
Ask students to research and record the following:
Supporters of gun control believe…
Supporters of gun rights believe…
Some issues to consider when investigating the debate:
Tougher background checks and longer waiting periods for those wanting to
purchase guns
Compulsory child safety locks on guns
A person right to protect themselves
Restricting the use and sale of guns is against the rights of all Americans
Mini Debate
Should the U.S. have stricter rules on gun ownership?
Working in pairs, students will prepare a one - two minute speech for a mini
debate on the topic of gun control. One person will speak for the affirmative
(supporting the idea that the United States should have stricter rules on gun
ownership) and the other will speak for the negative (speaking against the idea of
greater gun control).
Before students begin to construct their argument, ask them to record what they
already know about the topic and what they would like to find out. Students then
EPISODE 20
ST
31 JULY 2012
Learning Area
Society and Environment,
English
Key learning
Students will research
arguments for gun control
and gun rights and
participate in a mini debate.
research the topic to gain a greater understanding of the issue. Ask students to list
their arguments in point form on paper (without their partner seeing them).
When they have done this, ask them to choose the five best points that will form
the basis for their debate.
Students will write in point form, their debate on cards that fit into the palm of
their hand. Their debate needs to have an introduction (introducing the topic),
middle (three main points) and a conclusion (restating their position)
Students practise their speech and then present the mini debate to other
students.
Reflection
Ask students to think about how difficult it was to think of arguments to support
their case. Do they think they could have created a stronger argument if they
were speaking for the opposing view?
Further investigation
Tell us what you think on the Behind the News Guestbook. Include one or two points
from your argument.
 Related Research Links
CBBC Newsround – Gun debate
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_2350000/newsid_2358200/2358225.
stm
BBC Scotland – Gun control debate
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/ms/usa/casestudies/guncontrol/index.
shtml
BBC – Newsbeat’s guide to US gun laws
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/18950937
Behind the News - Upsetting news document
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/resources/story/UpsettingNews.pdf