Why We’re Still Arguing About Gun Control
https://upfront.scholastic.com/issues/2017-18/112017/why-we-re-still-arguing-about-gun-control.html#1170L
Highlight the best answer for each of the following questions. For the analysis section, refer to the article as needed.
1. In the 10/1/17 Las Vegas mass shooting, Stephen Paddock used a device called a bump stock, which is designed to
a muffle the sound of gunfire from an automatic weapon.
b let a shooter zero in on a target from thousands of yards away.
c allow a semiautomatic rifle to fire rounds faster.
d make a rifle lightweight and easier to carry.
2. The Las Vegas shooting has put which constitutional amendment in the spotlight?
a First Amendment
b Second Amendment
c Fourth Amendment
d Fifth Amendment
3. According to the article, federal law specifies all of the following EXCEPT
a undocumented immigrants can’t own firearms.
b licensed gun dealers must do background checks on buyers.
c firearms may not be sold at gun shows.
d people diagnosed with certain types of mental illness can’t own firearms.
4. Which of these statements is true?
a Most states require a license for gun ownership.
b Ohio has the most restrictive gun laws in the country.
c Most current gun control laws exist at the state level.
d all of the above
5. In the section “What are the arguments in favor?” which two words have nearly the same meaning?
a arming and banning
b loopholes and limits
c cite and allow
d advocates and supporters
6. You can reasonably infer from the section “What are the arguments against control?” that the Supreme Court rulings on guns in 2008 and 2010
a did not reference the Second Amendment.
b looked at militia rights but not individual rights.
c largely pleased gun rights advocates.
d put tight new restrictions on gun ownership.
7. Which excerpt from the article best supports the answer to question 6?
a “The debates often come down to the Second Amendment . . .”
b “Americans have long argued over its wording . . .”
c “For generations, the U.S. Supreme Court avoided answering the question of whether the Second Amendment guaranteed an individual’s right to bear arms.”
d “. . . the Court ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to keep a firearm.”
8. Based on the article, which type of regulation is most likely to get passed by the U.S. Congress?
a a restriction on bump stocks
b a restriction on hunting rifles
c a ban on large gun shows
d a ban on semiautomatic weapons
9. How did the U.S. Supreme Court rulings on gun rights in 2008 and 2010 affect the debate over gun control?
10. Why do you think the gun control debate keeps growing more and more partisan (meaning Republicans v. Democrats)?
Where the Guns Are
Read the text and look at the graphs regarding firearms around the world and highlight the correct answer to the questions below.
1. Which country on the graph has about 55 guns per 100 people?
a Indonesia
b Switzerland
c Iraq
d Yemen
2. Ethiopia has an average of ____ firearms per 100 people.
a 0.4
b 4
c 40
d none of the above
3. Which country has about 50 fewer firearms per 100 people than the U.S. does?
a Iraq
b Serbia
c Tunisia
d Eritrea
4. Sweden has a population of nearly 10 million. You can conclude that it has about ___firearms.
a 1 million
b 2 million
c 3 million
d 5 million
5. Which statement is true, based on the graphs?
a Bangladesh has more guns per 100 people than Sweden does.
b Uruguay and Sweden have about the same number of guns per 100 people.
c Ghana has about 4 guns per 100 people.
d all of the above
6. Why are the two graphs drawn to such different scales? Why do you think the editors made a point of calling your attention to this difference?
7. What do you find most interesting or surprising about these graphs? Why?
