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N THE LEAF|Feb. 26, 2015|SHSLEAF.ORG
ADHITI CHUNDUR beats editor SYDNEY EVANS managing editor
Up in arms
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Gun violence
According to a Violence Policy Center (VPC) report, “states with weak gun violence prevention laws and higher rates of gun ownership have the highest overall gun death rates in the nation.” This epidemic also correlates to domestic violence- related homicides. Everytown research has found that “Presence of a gun makes it five times more likely domestic violence will turn into murder.”
Parties: for gun rights 71% 25% 51% 20%
Jul. 2015
40%
60%
80%
Source: Pew Research
NRA grades Source: Huffington Post, The Telegraph, Business Insider
10
75%
Gun control triggers controversial debate
he United States is the most heavily armed nation in the world, CNN reports “a firearm for nearly 90% of its 321 million citizens.” After each mass shooting occurs, the debate on gun control resurfaces, with many differing opinions.
0%
100%
R D I 100%
Political polarization
According to Pew Research Center, “Views of the National Rifle Association (NRA) have become more politically and ideologically polarized.” The 2016 presidential candidates reflect this divide. Republican candidates like Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio- staunch supporters of the Second Amendment- received “As” from the NRA for their stance on gun legislation. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton backs “common sense” gun laws. Everytown for Gun Safety was a movement started by Americans to end gun violence. Survivors of gun violence and family members of victims come together to support their cause. Their goal is to strengthen common sense gun laws in America. The NRA is an organization on the other side of the spectrum. Their goal to ensure that “the nation’s elected officials will recognize that ‘gun control’ schemes are an infringement on the Second Amendment and a proven failure in fighting crime.” International success After the rampage in Oregon, President Barack Obama delivered his
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Cruz
0%
[
Right 2%
7%
32%
Hobby
2%
Other
7%
[
Don’t Know
48%
1%
Protection
Gun rights
2000
2005
]
Sophomore David Godar said, “We must defend our sacred republic from the would-be tyrants that will take our guns if they get half a chance.”
“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.”
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International action
Canada
Must pass a background check and public saftey course
UK
U.S.A. No ban on assault weapons
D-
all infographics by Adhiti chundur
Firearms (Amendment) Act- expanded the list of banned weapons
Must have a government issued license
Israel
Assault weapons ban, must register ownership with government
Japan
Must pass a written, mental, and drug test, and background check
Australia Prohibition on automatic and semi automatic assault rifles
N/A Trump
] Norway
Sanders
Rubio
2015
What is the Second Amendment?
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Source: Pew Research
15th statement on gun violence. He said, “We know that other countries... have been able to craft laws that almost eliminate mass shootings... Great Britain, Australia, countries like ours. So we know there are ways to prevent it.” After the horrific 1996 mass shooting in Australia, Prime Minister John Howard enacted sweeping gun laws throughout the country. Since then, there have been no mass shootings in Australia, and risk of dying by gun violence has dropped 50%. Many countries have enacted gun safety measures after their own horrific shootings like the UK’s Firearms Act.
A
2010
Opinons
Social studies teacher Mr. Andrew Ovington said,“They have to require a thorough background check for people who want to obtain a gun. It needs to be stricter and there to be a more thorough investigation as to why people want guns.”
Gun control
Source: Pew Research
Hunting Target/sport
F
A+
25%
Why do people own guns?
Clinton
D
Overall public opinion of gun control vs. gun rights
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50%
[ Defensive measures ]
Movements for change
Shift in thought
Blank world map by Petr Dlouhý (CC BY) Wikimedia Commons - creative commons
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