The Share My Lesson team curated a collection of free lesson plans and resources to support teachers in discussing the topic of gun violence with their students. This collection explores facts, history, laws, players, potential solutions, and activism on the issue of gun violence in the United States.
Deliberation Materials: Gun Licensing
Should the federal government require licenses for gun owners and purchasers? This activity includes a deliberation reading and glossary, as well as accompanying handouts to give students additional information on the topic and to guide them through the deliberation process from planning to reflection. Deliberation teaches people how to discuss controversial issues by carefully considering multiple perspectives and searching for consensus. In preparation for deliberations, all participants read common, balanced background information on the issue. During the discourse, they offer arguments for each position on a contested public issue, first drawing from the text and then bringing in their own experiences.
U.S. v. Lopez (1995)
Did Congress have the power to pass the Gun Free School Zones Act? After a 12th-grade student was arrested under the act, he and his lawyers challenged the constitutionality of the law.
D.C. v. Heller (2008)
Do D.C. provisions violate the rights of private citizens who wish to keep handguns and other firearms for private use? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered that question in 2008.
McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010)
Does the right “to keep and bear arms” apply to state and local governments and thus limit Chicago’s ability to regulate guns? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered that question in 2010.