The 2nd and 3rd Amendments

Which of these should private citizens not be allowed to own, if any?Handguns Automatic Shotguns Grenades F-16 Fighter Jets

“Sawed-off” shotguns Tanks“Automatic” or “assault” rifles

High-Capacity magazines (50 round in one clip) Grenade Launchers

The 2nd Amendment

“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.”

Why?

1.Included in the Bill of Rights for several purposes:

1. Protect the colonies from outside invasion

2. Arm the citizens for a number of reasons

3. Most controversially, to enable citizens to resist a tyrannical government

What Does it Mean?

1.Many disagree on the meaning of the 2nd Amendment 2.Most debate revolves around 3 words:

1. Militia- does this mean…1. An official state army?2. A loose collection of

“citizen-soldiers”?

2. People- does this mean…1. Every individual?2. Only qualified individuals?3. The state gov’ts?

3. Arms- does this mean…1. All types of weapons?2. Only “reasonable”

weapons?

“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.”

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

A landmark case, in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects an individual's right to possess a firearm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home. The decision did not address the question of whether the Second Amendment extends beyond federal enclaves to the states,which was addressed later by McDonald v. Chicago (2010). It was the first Supreme Court case in United States history to decide whether the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms for self defense.

3rd Amendment

“No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”

3rd Amendment Background

1. Britain had forced colonists to provide shelter, food and clothing to British soldiers

1. They never wanted that to happen again!

(Pass out marbles)

Assignment

●Question: Is Gun Ownership Helpful or Hurtful to Society?

● Read the two different opinions about gun control

● Write 5-10 sentences explaining your point of view on the issue of guns and gun control.

● Use at least 3 facts from the reading to make your point

● Class debate!!