Activity 1 Gun Safety Survey

Rate your agreement with the statements below by circling the choice, below the statement, that most closely matches your feelings on the statement.

SA A U/N D SD Strongly Agree Undecided/ Disagree Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree

1. Fear is the primary motivation underlying gun-rights advocates’ staunch resistance to gun controls.

SA A U/N D SD

2. US pioneer history created a gun culture that continues to inspire gun-rights advocates today.

SA A U/N D SD

3. Prohibiting assault-style weapons would dramatically reduce gun violence deaths and injuries.

SA A U/N D SD

4. Mental illness is a large underlying factor that drives individuals to commit mass shootings.

SA A U/N D SD

5. If all states had militias/state defense forces, they could prevent tyranny of the federal government.

SA A U/N D SD

6. Violence must be viewed as a public health problem and researched by the CDC using federal funding.

SA A U/N D SD

7. Background checks, prior to gun purchases, would prevent future mass shootings.

SA A U/N D SD

8. The 2nd Amendment could be modified to clarify which clause should dominate in law.

SA A U/N D SD

9. The current list of persons who may not possess firearms is appropriate and sufficient for safety.

SA A U/N D SD

10. Fear is the primary motivation underlying gun-control advocates’ keen desire to increase restrictions.

SA A U/N D SD

11. “Liberty for all” means that gun rights may not be infringed upon by the federal government.

SA A U/N D SD

12. A buyback strategy would result in large-scale gun relinquishment by lawful gun owners.

SA A U/N D SD

13. Gun owners, who fail to secure firearms that are used in crimes, should be held legally accountable.

SA A U/N D SD

14. Claims of “sanctuary” for guns are equally justified as are claims of “sanctuary” for illegal immigrants.

SA A U/N D SD

15. Communities must do more to help individuals in crisis and those affected by substance abuse.

SA A U/N D SD

16. Public proposals to implement greater gun restrictions stimulates a surge in gun purchases.

SA A U/N D SD

17. President Trump has acted on behalf of those who favor more gun restrictions.

SA A U/N D SD

18. Changing America’s divisive culture would do more to reduce gun violence than would gun controls.

SA A U/N D SD

19. The United States ranks 1st in the world for per capita murder with firearms.

SA A U/N D SD

20. The 4th Amendment protects citizens from home searches by government officials looking for prohibited weapons.

SA A U/N D SD

Activity 2 Gun Safety Reflection Questions

Your answers to these questions are simply for your use in the workshop. Please record your initial thoughts to refer to later. You do not need to write in full sentences – quick notes are fine. If you have personal experience or background with a question, please use that to inform your answers.

1. What causes the high levels of violence, including gun violence, in the United States?

2. What actions could the United States take to reduce violence, including gun violence?

3. Bill of Rights protections that affect gun rights include the 2nd Amendment (right to keep and bear arms), the 4th Amendment (right to be secure against unreasonable search & seizure), and the 10th Amendment (powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to states and the people). Given these protections, would Congress be able to implement significant gun control legislation? Why or why not?

4. Since 1971, some jurisdictions have declared themselves as “sanctuaries” and refused to allow local law enforcement officials to enforce immigration laws. In 2013, some jurisdictions declared themselves as Second Amendment sanctuaries and stated that they will not enforce certain gun control measures. Under what provisions of the Constitution are sanctuary jurisdictions legally permitted to defy federal laws? Are these sanctuaries justified? Why or why not?

5. The 2nd Amendment advises that a militia is “necessary to the security of the free state”, and that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” This Amendment was intended to empower the citizenry to resist tyranny from overreach of the federal government if other checks and balances failed. Given that the “National Guard” is part of the federal government’s Department of Defense, and few states have a true State Defense Force or militia, is it important that citizens are armed? Why or why not?

6. Some people propose that gun owners should be required to get a firearm owner’s license, like a driver’s license. Others suggest that all guns should be registered, like vehicles. These advocates believe that licensing and registration will increase gun safety. Opponents of these plans worry that licensing and registration would create the perfect system for gun confiscation by an overreaching government. They also argue that licensing and registration will have no effect on gun violence. Which position makes the best argument? Why?

7. The clear majority of gun owners are law abiding citizens who use guns for recreation and self-defense. How can their rights be preserved, while preventing criminals and unfit persons from accessing firearms?

8. Statistics show that nearly 70% of active shooting incidents ended in 5 minutes or less, while nearly 40% ended in 2 minutes or less. Citizens who carry guns have stopped active shooters from continuing to kill and injure innocent bystanders in multiple cases. To stop those shooters, the individuals that intervened needed to have their weapons with them. Are laws prohibiting gun owners from carrying their weapons good or bad? Why?

9. Robert Putnam, in Bowling Alone, The Collapse and Revival of American Community, showed how US citizens have become increasingly isolated – disconnected from family, friends, and neighbors. How might a return to social interaction help to reduce violent crime in the United States?

Activity 3 Gun Safety Information Presentation

Main Issues

Essential Question: How can people be protected from gun violence in the United States?

1. Causes of Gun Violence a. Incapacity to Cope with Stress b. Criminal Activity c. Gang/Organized Crime Violence d. Domestic Violence e. Mental Illness f. Substance Abuse g. Political Statements/Hate Crimes h. Terrorism

2. Potential Ways to Reduce Gun Violence and/or Improve Gun Safety a. Change the culture of the United States • Emphasize the common human rights and essential worth of all persons • Emphasize fundamental moral principles and moral courage • Create a national culture of “right relations” between people holding differing views • Emphasize non-violent communication to resolve disputes • Create a culture that values personal responsibility, including gun safety • Encourage communities to facilitate civil debate within the “public square” • Encourage communities to reestablish interpersonal trust through social engagement • Encourage local civic engagement to enhance the quality of communities • Frame violence as a health issue and fund research to find evidence-based solutions • Publicize stress management strategies and available support services • Establish and publicize local, rapid mental health services for persons in crisis • Remove stigma from mental health & substance abuse treatment • Encourage media outlets to balance reporting between positive and negative stories • Encourage and publicize compromises in government interactions & policy decisions • Intersperse the seating of Senators and Representatives in their chambers • Remove lobbyist and PAC funding from political campaigns • Implement term limits for both Chambers of Congress and the Supreme Court • End legal immunity for gun manufacturers (attenuating externalities by indirect regulation) b. Reduce the availability of firearms • Prohibit private firearm ownership from people who already own them o Buyback o Voluntary relinquishment o Confiscation • Enforce private firearm ownership restrictions listed below (18 U.S.C. § 922(d), (g)) o convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year; o who is a fugitive from justice; o who is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, codified at 21 U.S.C. § 802); o who has been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to any mental institution; o who is an illegal alien; o who has been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions; o who has renounced his or her United States citizenship; o who is subject to a court order restraining the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of the intimate partner; or o who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. • Expand existing firearm ownership restrictions o Juvenile offenders o Violent or firearm-related misdemeanants o Dangerously mentally-ill persons o Alcohol abusers o Persons on terrorist watch lists • Require firearms to be secured, to prevent use by unauthorized persons o Require firearms to be protected by smart technology (biometrics) o Store in a home safe, or in a local armory or firearm club and signed out for use • Provide mechanisms to take firearms from persons in crisis via Extreme Risk Protection Orders authorized by a Court c. Tighten requirements to purchase firearms • Raise the age to purchase any firearms to 21 nationwide • Require background checks for all firearm purchases to overcome gaps in current law • Require mental health reporting into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) system d. Require firearm owners to be licensed e. Require safety instruction and periodic recertification for firearm owners for licensing/renewal f. Limit the types of weapons and/or accessories • Self-loading weapons • Rapid-fire automatic or semi-automatic weapons • High-capacity magazines • Bump stocks and trigger actuators • High-volume ammunition g. Prohibit carriage of firearms, except secure transport to/from the place at which they will be used h. Increase screening of individuals entering public facilities such as schools, hospitals, etc.

3. Challenges to Enacting and Enforcing Restrictive Firearm Laws a. Constitutional protections, to the states and the people, of the Bill of Rights • 2nd Amendment – right of the people to keep and bear arms • 10th Amendment – powers not delegated to the Federal Government by the Constitution are reserved to the states or to the people b. Supreme Court Rulings favoring the Operative Clause of the 2nd Amendment • District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) – 2nd Amendment protects • McDonald v. Chicago (2010) – 14th Amendment protects c. Constitutional protections limiting enforcement of firearm prohibitions • 4th Amendment protections from search & seizure d. Practical firearm prohibition enforcement problems • “2nd Amendment sanctuaries” – more than 100 cities/counties across Virginia • Firearms trafficked into the country o ATF reports >3,800 machinegun conversion parts shipped from China o happens now into US cities with strict laws: Chicago, Baltimore, Washington, DC 4. Foundational Freedom: 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.

a. A states’ rights thesis favors the prefatory clause – “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State” • Expresses the founders’ fears that a large standing army could become an instrument of tyranny by an overreaching federal government. • Decries federal government attempts to regulate states in their right to defend their territory and ensure their sovereignty.

b. An individual rights thesis favors the operative clause – “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” • Decries federal government attempts to limit ownership, possession, & transportation of firearms.

5. Militia/State Defense Forces (Prefatory Clause: A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,) a. Authorized 32 U.S. Code; 109 subsection c • In addition to its National Guard, if any, a State, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, or the Virgin Islands may, as provided by its laws, organize and maintain defense forces. A defense force established under this section may be used within the jurisdiction concerned, as its chief executive (or commanding general in the case of the District of Columbia) considers necessary, but it may not be called, ordered, or drafted into the armed forces. b. Activities • 9/11 Terrorist Attack Response (New York) • Disaster Relief (Hurricane Katrina) • Flash Flooding (Texas) • Border Patrol (Arizona) • G-8 Conference (Georgia) c. State Defense Forces/Militias • 21-ish states today • 46 SDF during WW II (~174,000) • 42 SDF during WW I (~79,000) d. Naval Militias: • Alaska (Title 10 – 95% drilling USMC, USN, USCG reservists) • California • New Jersey (Title 32 – Includes volunteers alongside reservists) • New York (Title 10 – 95% drilling USMC, USN, USCG reservists) • Ohio (Title 32 – Includes volunteers alongside reservists) • South Carolina • Texas • Under consideration: Wisconsin e. Aviation Militias: • Texas • Vermont • Puerto Rico

f. Problems & Challenges: • Utah fired 31 officers for recruiting neo-Nazis, mental patients, and felons • Alaska disbanded – lack of training was more of a liability than asset • New York – Governor(s) gave away senior leadership positions as rewards to people with no military experience • California – No physical fitness or weight standards • Tennessee – Exclusive – must have been honorably discharged from the U.S. military

6. Right to Keep and Bear Arms (Operative Clause: the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.) a. District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) • The U. S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Operative Clause o the 2nd Amendment protects an individual's right to keep and bear arms, unconnected with service in a militia, for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home o the District of Columbia's handgun ban and requirement that lawfully owned rifles and shotguns be kept "unloaded and disassembled or bound by a trigger lock" violated this guarantee o qualified that the right to bear arms is not unlimited and that guns and gun ownership would continue to be regulated b. McDonald v. Chicago (2010) • The U. S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Operative Clause o the right of an individual to "keep and bear arms," … is incorporated by either the Due Process Clause (Justice Alito) or Privileges or Immunities Clause (Justice Thomas) of the Fourteenth Amendment against the states. o protects those rights from infringement by state and local governments o qualified that certain firearms restrictions… are assumed permissible (restrictions against felons owning firearms, carrying in sensitive places, laws regarding sales)

Resources for further exploration

• Pew Research Center https://www.pewresearch.org • DomesticPreparedness.com https://www.domesticpreparedness.com/ • Center for American Progress https://www.americanprogress.org/ • Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov/ • National Constitution Center https://constitutioncenter.org/ • Bill of Rights Institute https://billofrightsinstitute.org/ • Oyez (U. S. Supreme Court) https://www.oyez.org/

• Bureau of Justice Statistics (Violent Crime) https://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=tp&tid=31 • Crime in the United States (FBI) https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ucr/publications • Nation Master (statistics) https://www.nationmaster.com/ • Our World in Data (statistics) https://ourworldindata.org/ • World O’Meter (statistics) https://www.worldometers.info/ • CensusScope (statistics) http://www.censusscope.org/index.html

• State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) https://sgaus.org/ • Virginia Defense Force http://vdf.virginia.gov/

• Three Percenters (Constitutional Preservation) https://www.thethreepercenters.org/about-us • Oath Keepers (Uphold Oath to Constitution) https://oathkeepers.org/ • Constitutional Sheriffs & Peace Officers Assn (Uphold the Constitution) https://cspoa.org/

• Gun Policy (statistics) https://www.gunpolicy.org/ • Small Arms Survey (international) http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/home.html • The Trace (news orgn for gun info) https://www.thetrace.org/ • Gun Violence Archive (statistics) https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/ • Second Amendment Foundation https://www.saf.org/

• American State Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention https://www.aslgvp.org/ • Brady – United Against Gun Violence https://www.bradyunited.org/ • Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus https://keepgunsoffcampus.org/ • Coalition to Stop Gun Violence https://www.csgv.org/ • https://everytown.org/ • Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence https://lawcenter.giffords.org/ • Moms Demand Action https://momsdemandaction.org/ • National Gun Victims Action Council https://www.gunvictimsaction.org/ • States United to Prevent Gun Violence https://ceasefireusa.org/ • https://www.stophandgunviolence.org/ • http://vpc.org/

• Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms https://www.ccrkba.org/ • https://gunowners.org/ • International Association for the Protection of Civilian Arms Rights https://iapcar.org/ • Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership http://jpfo.org/ • National Association of Gun Rights https://nationalgunrights.org/ • National Rifle Association Foundation https://www.nrafoundation.org/ • http://www.pinkpistols.org/ • https://www.2asistersma.org/home.html • Students for Concealed Carry https://concealedcampus.org/ • The https://theliberalgunclub.com/ • Virginia Citizens Defense League https://www.vcdl.org/

• Open Secrets (money in politics) https://www.opensecrets.org/ • Federal Elections Commission (FEC) Itemizer (campaign finance filings) https://projects.propublica.org/itemizer/

Gun Safety Facts and Figures

World Crimes (International - 2002) [Nation Master per 1,000 residents *may indicate willingness to report]

1. Iceland 209.52 11. Germany 78.89 2. Sweden 138.35 12. Norway 72.73 3. Dominica 112.55 13. Austria 68.35 4. United Kingdom 109.96 14. France 61.03 (G7 average 61.84) 5. New Zealand 108.2 15. South Africa 58.94 6. Finland 100.03 16. Luxembourg 58.38 7. Belgium 94.22 17. Seychelles 51.34 (NATO average 50.53) 8. Denmark 91.34 18. Malta 42.99 9. Netherlands 88.11 19. Estonia 42.54 10. Canada 80.25 20. Switzerland 42.23 (USA #22 -- 41.29)

World Level-of-Crime Perceptions (International – 2014) [Nation Master – higher # equals higher perception]

1. Maldives 100 11. The Bahamas 80.00 2. Venezuela 97.03 12. Papua New Guinea 79.17 3. Afghanistan 96.43 13. Brazil 78.04 4. Kenya 91.25 14. Bolivia 75.00 5. Trinidad/Tobago 91.18 14. Bangladesh 75.00 6. South Africa 86.27 14. Haiti 75.00 7. Guatemala 84.09 14. El Salvador 75.00 8. Nigeria 82.35 18. Malaysia 74.29 9. Puerto Rico 81.90 19. Morocco 73.96 10. Honduras 81.67 20. Dominican Republic 73.75 (USA #45 – 55.84)

World Murder Rates (International - 2006) [Nation Master per 1 million people]

1. Turkey 184.05 11. Romania 39.23 2. Belarus 100.35 12. Tajikistan 33.82 3. Lithuania 81.84 13. Finland 32.73 (NATO average 31.59) 4. Albania 80.64 14. Slovenia 22.03 5. Estonia 79.04 15. Bulgaria 20.52 6. United States 57.00 16. Hungary 19.39 7. Ukraine 47.84 17. Sweden 18.02 8. Turkmenistan 45.34 18. Belgium 17.93 9. Latvia 44.17 19. Australia 17.01 10. Croatia 42.59 20. Portugal 15.30

Murder with Firearms (International - 2002) [Nation Master per 1 million people]

1. South Africa 700.98 11. Costa Rica 32.00 2. Colombia 531.29 12. Mexico 24.42 3. Slovakia 438.00 13. Slovenia 19.55 4. Thailand 313.99 14. Czech Republic 17.74 5. El Salvador 239.83 15. Croatia 17.12 6. Philippines 95.21 16. Peru 16.54 7. Zimbabwe 47.31 17. Estonia 15.46 8. Albania 41.37 18. Azerbaijan 14.68 9. Uruguay 32.76 19. Rep. of Macedonia 12.53 10. United States 32.57 20. Latvia 11.97

USA Criminal Victimization [Bureau of Justice Statistics]

Type 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 Number per 1,000 Number per 1,000 Number per 1,000 Number per 1,000 Number per 1,000 Violent Crime 6,385,520 23.2 5,612,670 20.6 5,353,820 19.7 5,006,620 18.6 5,359,570 20.1 --Rape/ Sexual Assault 734,630 2.7 393,980 1.4 298,410 1.1 431,840 1.6 284,350 1.1 --Robbery 573,100 2.1 613,840 2.3 458,810 1.7 578,580 2.1 664,210 2.5 --Assault 5,077,790 18.4 4,604,850 16.9 4,596,600 16.9 3,996,200 14.8 4,411,010 16.5 ---Aggravated 1,058,040 3.8 993,170 3.6 1,040,580 3.8 816,760 3.0 1,092,090 4.1 ---Simple 4,019,750 14.6 3,611,680 13.3 3,556,020 13.1 3,179,440 11.8 3,318,920 12.4 Violent Crime (not simple assault) 2,365,770 8.6 2,000,990 7.3 1,797,790 6.6 1,827,170 6.8 2,040,650 7.7 Domestic violence 1,333,050 4.8 1,237,960 4.5 1,068,120 3.9 1,094,660 4.1 1,109,880 4.2 --Intimate partner violence 847,230 3.1 666,310 2.4 597,200 2.2 806,050 3.0 634,610 2.4 --Stranger violence 2,493,750 9.1 2,034,100 7.5 2,082,410 7.7 1,821,310 6.8 2,166,130 8.1 --Violent crime involving injury 1,449,530 5.3 1,248,480 4.6 1,220,640 4.5 1,303,290 4.8 1,375,950 5.2 --Violent crime involving a weapon 1,329,700 4.8 1,260,810 4.6 1,203,200 4.4 977,840 3.6 1,306,900 4.9

Gun Violence [Gun Violence Archive as of Jan 28, 2020]

Year Shooting Suicides Other Injuries Mass Home Defensive Unintentional Officer Suspect Under 17 Incidents Deaths Shootings Invasion Use Shooting I or K I or K I or K 2020 2,959 1,848 1,111 2,031 21 ?? 107 159 19 190 280 2019 39,408 24,090 15,318 29,6211 418 ?? 1,563 1,862 372 2,015 2018 55,284 ?? 14,803 28,239 337 2,099 1,896 1,679 279 2,137 2,540 2017 59,817 23,854 15,690 31,279 346 2,568 2,105 2,056 303 2,081 3,991 2016 56,851 22,938 15,116 30,670 382 2,582 1,998 2,216 301 1,901 3,817 2015 49,708 22,018 13,558 27,010 335 2,341 1,400 1,994 274 1,914 3,399 2014 41,018 21,386 12,391 22,617 269 2,533 1,511 1,626 222 1,727 2,913

Mass Shootings [Statista.com as of Dec 12, 2019]

1982-2019 (Dec) 116 Mass Shootings

• Legality of Weapons o legally obtained - 82 o illegally - 16 o unknown - 17 o mixed - 1 • Mental Illness o noted before - 58 o unclear - 24 o no signs before - 17 o unknown – 17 Percentage of US Population by Race/Ethnicity • Race/Ethnicity 1980 1990 2000 2010 o White – 65 (56%) 79.5% 75.6% 69% 63.7% o Black – 19 (16%) 11.5% 11.7% 12% 12% o Hispanic – 10 (8.6%) 6.4% 9% 12.5% 16.3% o Asian – 8 (6.8%) 1.5% 2.8% 3.6% 4.7% o Native American – 3 (2.5%) 0.6% 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% o Other – 5 (4%) o Unknown – 6 (5%) Firearms [Small Arms Survey – International Perspective]

Table 1 Estimated total civilian-held legal and illicit firearms in 25 top- ranked countries and territories, 2017

United States 393,300,000 Turkey 13,200,000 Saudi Arabia 5,500,000 India 71,100,000 France 12,700,000 South Africa 5,400,000 China 49,700,000 Canada 12,700,000 Colombia 5,000,000 Pakistan 43,900,000 Thailand 10,300,000 Ukraine 4,400,000 Russian Federation 17,600,000 Italy 8,600,000 Afghanistan 4,300,000 Brazil 17,500,000 Iraq 7,600,000 Egypt 3,900,000 Mexico 16,800,000 Nigeria 6,200,000 Philippines 3,800,000 Germany 15,800,000 Venezuela 5,900,000

Yemen 14,900,000 Iran 5,900,000

Table 2 Estimated rate of civilian firearms holdings in 25 top-ranked countries and territories, 2017 (per 100)

United States 120.5 Iceland 31.7 Sweden 23.1 Yemen 52.8 Bosnia and Herzegovina 31.2 Pakistan 22.3 Montenegro 39.1 Austria 30.0 Portugal 21.3 Serbia 39.1 Macedonia* 29.8 France 19.6 Canada 34.7 Norway 28.8 Germany 19.6 Uruguay 34.7 Malta 28.3 Iraq 19.6 Cyprus 34.0 Switzerland 27.6 Luxembourg 18.9 Finland 32.4 New Zealand 26.3

Lebanon 31.9 Kosovo** 23.8

Number of Murder Victims in the US in 2018 by weapon Published by Statista Research Department, Sep 30, 2019

Statistics from Gun Policy.org for the United States of America

Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession 120.5 per 100 persons

Registered Firearms 2019: 1,268,165

Privately-Owned Firearms 265,000,000 to 393,347,000 Proportion of Households 2017: 42.0% 1977: 50.4%

Privately-Owned Rifles 87,079,000 to 110,000,000 Proportion of Households 2012: 20.5% 1977: 33.5%

Privately-Owned Shotguns 53,371,000 to 86,000,000 Proportion of Households 2012: 21.4% 1977: 34.8%

Privately-Owned Handguns 111,300,000 to 114,000,000 Proportion of Households 2012: 21.9% 1977: 21.3%

World Ranking of Privately-Owned Firearms # 1

Rate of Privately-Owned Firearms per 100 Population # 1

Proportion of Households with Firearms 2017: 42% 1977: 50.4%

Proportion of Households with Rifles 2012: 20.5% 1977: 33.5%

Proportion of Households with Shotguns 2017: 21.4% 1977: 34.8%

Proportion of Households with Handguns 2017: 21.9% 1977: 21.3%

International Comparative Facts

Land Mass – 9.8 million sqkm = #3 behind Canada 9.8 million sqkm & Russia 17 million sqkm

Population – 331 million = #3 behind China 1.44 billion & India 1.38 billion

Population Density – 103 persons/square mile (in lower 48) 93.16 persons/square mile (in all 50 states) #177 of 235 countries Great Britain Gun Policy

Great Britain has a very long history of regulating weapons, extending back at least as far as 1181, before firearms existed. In 1508, a license was required (Royal Letters Patent) to use a gun. In 1542, hunting licenses were introduced. Many laws were added over the centuries since then, some applying only to certain geographic areas (highlands of Scotland, Northern Ireland.). The United Kingdom laws have been described as some of the strictest in the world.

Firearms Act 1968

Brought together all existing firearms legislation in a single statute.

• Applicants for Firearms Certificates had to show a good reason for possessing the firearm or ammunition • Introduced controls for long-barrelled shotguns, in the form of Shotgun Certificates • Firearms and ammunition had to be kept locked up in a secure place approved by the local police firearms officer. • Prohibited the possession of firearms or ammunition by criminals who had been sentenced to imprisonment.

Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988

This legislation was enacted following the Hungerford massacre, in which a man shot and killed 16 people before killing himself. Another 15 people were injured, but survived. He used a handgun and two semi- automatic rifles.

• Prohibited semi-automatic and pump-action centre-fire rifles, military weapons firing explosive ammunition, short shotguns that had magazines. • Required registration and secure storage of shotguns held on Shotgun Certificates. • Required a Firearm Certificate for shotguns with more than a 2+1 capacity.

1997 Firearms (Amendment) Acts

This legislation was enacted following the Dunblane massacre in Scotland (1996), in which a man killed 15 children and a teacher at a primary school, before killing himself. Another 16 children and adults were injured, but survived. He used two 9mm pistols and 2 revolvers.

• Prohibited “short weapons” with a few exceptions for special pistols and utility pistols such as starting pistols, signaling pistols, and shot pistols used for pest control. • Certain individuals may receive a Personal Protection Weapon license.

Following this legislation, 162,000 pistols and 700 tons of ammunition were surrendered by an estimated 57,000 people (1 in 960 persons).

In 2010, another mass shooting took place in Cumbria, England. A man shot and killed 12 people while driving around town, before killing himself. Another 11 people were injured, but survived. He used a 12-gauge double- barrel shotgun and a bolt-action rifle. He was a licensed firearm holder. Australia Gun Policy

All Australian Governments agreed, in 1996, through the Australasian Police Ministers Council and Council of Australian Governments, to a 10-point plan (Nationwide Agreement on Firearms/National Firearms Agreement). In 2002, the National Firearm Trafficking Policy Agreement and National Handgun Control Agreement were added.

The policies are enforced at the local level. A 2017 report noted varied compliance and enforcement across jurisdictions, with no jurisdiction fully implementing these laws.

Buyback cost $230 million, raised through health-insurance tax increases. More than 700,000 weapons were purchased by the government or voluntarily relinquished. In 2013, an estimated 250,000 prohibited long arms and 10,000 handguns were still in circulation.

Studies cited by Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Firearms_Agreement) note that research has produced mixed claims. Some studies claim that the laws have reduced mass shootings, gun-suicides, and armed crimes. Other studies failed to definitively link the reduction in weapons availability, resulting from this legislation, with reductions in suicide or firearm homicide rates. With respect to suicide, the suicide deaths from firearms fell by 38%, but the number of suicides by hanging increased by 52% in the same time period.

This Wikipedia page, and other sources, note that enforcement of the laws has weakened over time. In 2017, the government offered a National Firearms Amnesty to recover more guns. Some 51,000 guns were surrendered.

National Firearms Agreement 1996 Resolutions

• Resolution 1 – Bans on Specific Types of Firearm a. self-loading centre fire rifles, self-loading rim fire rifles, self-loading and pump-action shot guns • Resolution 2 – Effective Nationwide Registration of All Firearms a. National Exchange of Police Information (NEPI) – National Firearms & Licensing Index • Resolution 3 – Genuine Reason and Genuine Need for Owning, Possessing or Using a Firearm a. Personal Protection b. Genuine Reason – Shooting Sports & Recreational Hunting c. Genuine Need – categories B, C, D, & H – includes clay target shooting d. Firearms Collectors e. Ammunition Collectors f. Museums g. Heirlooms • Resolution 4 – Basic Licence Requirements a. A “fit and proper” person b. Able to prove identify c. Has undertaken adequate safety training • Resolution 5 – Training as a Prerequisite for Licences • Resolution 6 – Grounds for Licence Refusal or Cancellation and Seizure of Firearms • Resolution 7 – Permit to Acquire • Resolution 8 – Uniform Standards for the Security and Storage of Firearms • Resolution 9 – Recording of Sales • Resolution 10 – Mail Order Control and Transport

Subsequent shooting attacks resulting in multiple deaths occurred in 2002, 2005, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2019. Following the Money [OpenSecrets.org]

Gun Control Gun Rights

Campaign Contributions (1990-2018) $4.3M $42.1M Outside Spending (2010-2018) $12.5M $113.6M Lobbying (1998-2018) $21M $149M

Gun Control Lobbyists (2020 cycle)

Combined Contributions Democrats: $334,331(97%) Republicans: $10,000 (3%) Incumbents: $294,683 (88%) Newcomers: $39,648 (18%) 2019 Everytown for Gun Safety $1,080,000 Giffords $350,000 March for Our Lives $220,000 to Prevent Gun Violence $90,000 Sandy Hook Promise $60,000

Top Recipients

1. Jason Crow (D-CO) $29,350 2. Max Rose (D-NY) $14,600 3. Lucy McBath (D-GA) $14,283 4. Katie Porter (D-CA) $12,071 5. Doug Jones (D-AL) $10,041

Gun Rights Lobbyists (2020 cycle)

Combined Contributions Democrats: $16,110 (2%) Republicans: $817,679 (98%) Incumbents: $822,439 (98.6%) Newcomers: $11,350 (1.4%) 2019 National Shooting Sports Foundation $3,410,000 National Rifle Association $2,450,000 National Assn for Gun Rights $1,281,807 Gun Owners of America $376,931 Citizens Cmte Right Keep & Bear Arms $285,750 Safari Club International $180,000 Boone & Crockett Club $105,000 Dallas Safari Club $60,000 Firearms Policy Coalition $15,000

Top Recipients

1. Martha McSally (R-AZ) $92,074 2. Steven Daines (R-MT) $31,600 3. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) $29,433 4. John Cornyn (R-TX) $24,260 5. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) $19,647 Policy Decisions

State Militias/Defense Forces

1792: Militia Acts of 1792 – A pair of statutes enacted by the second United States Congress in 1792 provided for the organization of the state militias under the state Adjutant General, and provided for the President of the United States to take command of the state militias in times of imminent invasion or insurrection. These Acts had a 2-year sunset provision and were subsequently extended and then amended in 1795 and 1862. They required all free men, aged 18 to 45, to serve in the enrolled militia.

The Militia Acts were passed in response to the overwhelming U.S. losses at St. Clair's Defeat in 1791. The Constitution permitted Congress to provide for calling forth the militia, but it was understood at the time that the president could not do so on his own authority absent that statutory provision. There was a widespread fear that the Western Confederacy of American Indians would exploit their victory during the recess of Congress. Congress took action to remedy these problems in 1792.

1807: Insurrection Act of 1807 – Limits the ability of the President of the United States to deploy military forces within the United States to put down lawlessness, insurrection, and rebellion. The general purpose is to limit presidential power, relying on state and local governments for initial response in the event of insurrection.

1878: Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 – Prohibits the federal military to engage in civil affairs. (Does not apply to state militias.)

1903: Militia Act of 1903 –This Act designated the state militias as the reserve forces for the United States, and dramatically increased funding for them. This created an early National Guard and codified the circumstances under which the Guard could be federalized. It also provided federal funds to pay for equipment and training, including annual summer encampments. This new entity was to organize units of similar form and quality to those of the regular Army, with intents to meet the same training, education, and readiness requirements as active duty units. This Act was amended by the Militia Act of 1908, and the National Defense Act of 1916, 1920, and 1933.

Under the earlier Militia Acts, state versus federal control of militias was disputed. Because the issue of state versus federal control was not resolved, the federal government resorted to the creation of "volunteer" units when it needed to expand the size of the Army (Mexican-American War, Civil War, Spanish-American War).

1916: National Defense Act of 1916 – Created an Army Reserve organization, and gave the federal government greater powers to call the militias into federal service. The act doubled the National Guard. It received federal funding, but in exchange for this support the act basically gave the President full authority over the National Guard and authorized its federalization at the President’s order. It also mandated that National Guardsmen take dual oaths of loyalty to both the state governor and the President.

This act stated that when the National Guard was federalized, states had the authority to organize military reserve units for duty. The mission of such troops was strictly prescribed, though, solely to policing activities.

1917: Home Defense Act of 1917 - During the preparedness period just prior to U.S. involvement in World War I, Congress consented to establishing home defense forces for the states because the National Guard was mobilized for federal service. Subsequently, state legislatures authorized defense forces. This Act authorized the Secretary of War to equip these “home guards” with missions focused on security and civil defense.

The War Department also created the “U.S. Guards”, an organization that consisted of 25,000 men culled from the ranks of those deemed unfit for overseas deployment, to oversee internal security.

1933: National Defense Act Amendments of 1933 – Provided that the National Guard is considered a component of the Army at all times. Beginning with this law, each National Guard member has two military statuses—a member of the National Guard of his or her state (Title 32 duties), or a member of the National Guard of the United States (Title 10 duties) when federalized.

1940: National Defense Act of 1916 – This Act was modified to reauthorize the establishment of state defense forces that had been permitted prior to 1916. An amendment specified that state forces would be limited to duties as determined by their respective state governors. By 1945, 47 states and territories had organized home guards consisting of 150,000 troops. After World War II, some elements of the legislation were rescinded and state guard units declined.

1955: Public Law 364 – Amended the National Defense Act to reauthorize states to create guard organizations. The States may, as provided by the laws of such State, organize and maintain State defense forces. State defense forces established under this section may not be called, ordered, or in any manner drafted, as such, into the Armed Forces of the United States. State defense forces may be used within their respective State borders as deemed necessary by the chief executive thereof.

1973: Total Force Policy – This change in military force management policy advocated the integration of active-duty, reserve, and National Guard forces into a “total force,” with reserve and guard forces augmenting their active counterparts. The Total Force Concept was motivated by a combination of Congressional cuts in defense spending and the pending abolition of the draft. Following Desert Shield and Desert Storm, this policy was criticized as huge numbers of reservists deployed to the Middle East, stripping local communities of first responders and other essential community service personnel. Critics, particularly those affiliated with the U. S. Army, stated that this was an ineffective policy brought on by inadequate military funding.

1986: Montgomery Amendment (House Amendment 1132) – Provides that a governor cannot withhold consent with regard to active duty outside the United States because of any objection to the location, purpose, type, or schedule of such duty. This law was challenged and upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States in 1990 in Perpich v. Department of Defense.

1987: National Guard Regulation 10-4 – Outlines assistance that DoD authorized the National Guard to furnish the states in equipping, arming, and training State Defense Forces. Reinforces the legal status of the State Defense Force being exclusively a state organization under control of the governor, and not subject to call, order, or draft into the federal armed forces. The State Defense Force would perform State emergency responsibilities, and any such missions the governor directs.

2006: Defense Authorization Bill for 2007 (H. R. 5122) – Passed by a vote of 398-23 in the house and by unanimous consent in the Senate, this amended sections 333 and 334 of the Insurrection Act of 1807. It widened the President's ability to deploy troops within the United States to enforce the laws. Under this act, the President could also deploy troops as a police force during a natural disaster, epidemic, serious public health emergency, terrorist attack, or other condition, when the President determines that the authorities of the state are incapable of maintaining public order. This modification also gave the President authority to order the dispersal of either insurgents or "those obstructing the enforcement of the laws." The law changed the name of the chapter from "Insurrection" to "Enforcement of the Laws to Restore Public Order." All 50 Governors opposed this change.

2007: Defense Authorization Bill for 2008 (H. R. 4986) – Passed by a vote of 369-46 in the house and by a vote of 91-9 in the Senate, this Congressional modification reversed the changes to the Insurrection Act of 1807. Legislators argued that the 2006 changes made it easier for a President to declare martial law, created unnecessary friction between states and the federal government, and created an environment where the local official could be second-guessed by a distant federal official. Gun Control Legislation, Executive Action, and Court Rulings

1934: National Firearms Act (NFA) – Part of the Internal Revenue code, this law taxed the making and transfer of selected firearms that posed a significant crime problem because of their frequent use in crime, particularly the gangland crimes of that era. Required registration of certain firearms with the Treasury Department (shotguns & rifles with barrels less than 18”; machineguns; mufflers & silencers). [Problems arose when the Treasury Dept. reported the registrations to state governments, which then prosecuted individuals for possession of an unauthorized (by state law) firearm. The Supreme Court held that this registration requirement violated the privilege from self-incrimination guaranteed by the 5th Amendment.]

1938: Federal Firearms Act (FFA) – Imposed a federal license requirement on gun manufacturers, importers, and those persons in the business of selling firearms. required licensees to maintain customer records and made illegal the transfer of firearms to certain classes of persons, such as convicted felons. These classes of persons are commonly referred to as “prohibited purchasers.” The circumstances resulting in the prohibition (such as a felony conviction) are often referred to as “disabilities.” The FFA was repealed by the Gun Control Act of 1968.

1968: Title II of the Gun Control Act (GCA) of 1968 – Amended the National Firearms Act due to the 1968 Supreme Court decision making the NFA unenforceable. Removed the requirement, for a possessor of an unregistered NFA firearm, to register the weapon, and prohibited information from an NFA application or registration to be used against a person for legal violations prior to or concurrent with the filing. Added the term “destructive devices” and expanded the definition of “machinegun.”

Additionally, the GCA imposed stricter licensing and regulation on the firearms industry, established new categories of firearms offenses, and prohibited the sale of firearms and ammunition to felons and certain other prohibited persons. It also imposed the first Federal jurisdiction over "destructive devices," including bombs, mines, grenades and other similar devices.

Prohibited persons –

§ has been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year § is a fugitive from justice § is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance § has been adjudicated as a mental defective or who has been committed to a mental institution § is an illegal or unlawful alien or a non-immigrant alien (with certain exceptions) § has been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions § having been a citizen of the United States, has renounced his citizenship § is subject to a domestic violence protection order that meets certain requirements § has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence § is under indictment for or has been charged with a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.

1986: Firearm Owner Protection Act – Amended the NFA definition of “silencer” by adding combinations of parts for silencers and any part intended for use in the assembly or fabrication of a silencer. The Act also amended the GCA to prohibit the transfer or possession of machineguns.

1993: Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act – Imposed as an interim measure a waiting period of 5 days before a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer may sell, deliver, or transfer a handgun to an unlicensed individual. The waiting period applies only in states without an acceptable alternate system of conducting background checks on handgun purchasers. The interim provisions of the Brady Law became effective on February 28, 1994, and ceased to apply on November 30, 1998. While the interim provisions of the Brady Law apply only to handguns, the permanent provisions of the Brady Law apply to all firearms.

1994: Federal Assault Weapons Ban – Prohibited: 1) the manufacture, transfer and possession of semi-automatic assault weapons; and 2) the transfer and possession of large capacity ammunition feeding devices (i.e., devices capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition). The law only banned the transfer and possession of assault weapons and large capacity feeding devices manufactured after the date of the ban’s enactment. The AWB contained a sunset provision declaring that it would expire ten years from enactment. Congress allowed the ban to expire on September 13, 2004.

1996: Dickey Amendment - a provision first inserted as a rider into the 1996 United States federal government omnibus spending bill which mandated that "none of the funds made available for injury prevention and control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may be used to advocate or promote gun control." In the same spending bill, Congress earmarked $2.6 million from the CDC's budget, the exact amount that had previously been allocated to the agency for firearms research the previous year, for traumatic brain injury-related research. Although the Dickey Amendment did not explicitly ban it, for about two decades the CDC avoided all research on gun violence for fear it would be financially penalized. Congress clarified the law in 2018 to allow for such research, and in the FY2020 federal omnibus spending bill earmarked the first funding for it since 1996.

2005: Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) and Child Safety Lock Act (CSLA) – Provided the gun industry with immunity from most tort liability, if the action resulted from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a qualified product by the person or a third party, with certain exceptions.

2008: National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Improvement Amendments Act – Sought to address the gap in information available to NICS about such prohibiting mental health adjudications and commitments and other prohibiting backgrounds. Filling these information gaps will better enable the system to operate as intended, to keep guns out of the hands of persons prohibited by federal or state law from receiving or possessing firearms.

2008: District of Columbia v. Heller – The U. S. Supreme Court held that the 2nd Amendment protects an individual's right to keep and bear arms, unconnected with service in a militia, for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home, and that the District of Columbia's handgun ban and requirement that lawfully owned rifles and shotguns be kept "unloaded and disassembled or bound by a trigger lock" violated this guarantee.

2010: McDonald v. Chicago – The U. S. Supreme Court found that the right of an individual to "keep and bear arms," as protected under the Second Amendment, is incorporated by either the Due Process Clause or Privileges or Immunities Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment against the states. [No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.] The Court reiterated that "the Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms for the purpose of self-defense"; that "individual self-defense is 'the central component' of the Second Amendment right"; and that "[s]elf-defense is a basic right, recognized by many legal systems from ancient times to the present day"

2016: Attorney General Order #3608-2016 – Defines the term "responsible person," as used in reference to a trust, partnership, association, company, or corporation; requires responsible persons of such trusts or legal entities to complete a specified form and to submit photographs and fingerprints when the trust or legal entity files an application to make an NFA firearm or is listed as the transferee on an application to transfer an NFA firearm; requires that a copy of all applications to make or transfer a firearm, and the specified form for responsible persons, as applicable, be forwarded to the chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) of the locality in which the applicant/transferee or responsible person is located; and eliminates the requirement for a certification signed by the CLEO.

2018: Bump Stock Ruling: On February 20, 2018, President Trump issued a memorandum instructing the Attorney General “to dedicate all available resources to… propose for notice and comment a rule banning all devices that turn legal weapons into machineguns.” The Department reviewed more than 186,000 public comments and made the decision to make clear that the term “machinegun” as used in the National Firearms Act (NFA), and Gun Control Act (GCA), includes all bump-stock-type devices that harness recoil energy to facilitate the continuous operation of a semiautomatic long gun after a single pull of the trigger. The ATF ruling was published in December 2018, and went into effect on March 26, 2019. Current possessors of these devices must divest themselves by destroying or surrendering the device(s).

Activity 4 Gun Safety Political Positions and Compromises

1. Discover underlying themes in political positions for each “side” (liberal & conservative).

2. Identify which UU Principles align with those themes.

3. Find which of Haidt’s Moral Foundations align with those themes.

4. Notice areas of commonality in UU Principles and Moral Foundations.

5. Suggest issues for which liberals and conservatives might achieve compromise.

** To research individual political positions, see…

OnTheIssues https://www.ontheissues.org/default.htm Ballotopedia https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_candidates,_2020

Libertarian Perspectives 2018 Party Platform https://libertarianconvention.org/2018-platform/

We, on the contrary, deny the right of any government to do these things, and hold that where governments exist, they must not violate the rights of any individual: namely, (1) the right to life — accordingly we support the prohibition of the initiation of physical force against others; (2) the right to liberty of speech and action — accordingly we oppose all attempts by government to abridge the freedom of speech and press, as well as government censorship in any form; and (3) the right to property — accordingly we oppose all government interference with private property, such as confiscation, nationalization, and eminent domain, and support the prohibition of robbery, trespass, fraud, and misrepresentation.

1.0 PERSONAL LIBERTY Individuals are inherently free to make choices for themselves and must accept responsibility for the consequences of the choices they make. Our support of an individual’s right to make choices in life does not mean that we necessarily approve or disapprove of those choices. No individual, group, or government may rightly initiate force against any other individual, group, or government. Libertarians reject the notion that groups have inherent rights. We support the rights of the smallest minority, the individual.

1.9 Self-Defense The only legitimate use of force is in defense of individual rights — life, liberty, and justly acquired property — against aggression. This right inheres in the individual, who may agree to be aided by any other individual or group. We affirm the individual right recognized by the Second Amendment to keep and bear arms, and oppose the prosecution of individuals for exercising their rights of self-defense. Private property owners should be free to establish their own conditions regarding the presence of personal defense weapons on their own property. We oppose all laws at any level of government restricting, registering, or monitoring the ownership, manufacture, or transfer of firearms or ammunition.

Activity 4: Worksheet

A. Liberal (The Left)

(1) Broad themes?

(2) UU Principles aligning with themes?

(3) Moral Foundations aligning with themes?

B. Conservative (The Right)

(1) Broad themes?

(2) UU Principles aligning with themes?

(3) Moral Foundations aligning with themes?

C. Common Ground/Compromises - Potential areas of agreement or shared goals.

Liberal Perspectives (The Left) Campaign websites for 2020 Democratic Candidates: JB – Joe Biden https://joebiden.com/joes-vision/ EW – Elizabeth Warren https://elizabethwarren.com/plans BS – Bernie Sanders https://berniesanders.com/issues/ PB – Pete Buttigieg https://peteforamerica.com/issues/ MB – Michael Bloomberg https://www.mikebloomberg.com/getting-it-done 2016 – Democratic Party Platform 2016 https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/party-platform/ 2020 – Democratic Party Platform 2020 https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/the-issues/

2nd Amendment: Right of the people to keep and bear arms.

1. Get weapons of war (assault weapons and high capacity magazines) off our streets. (JB, EW, BS, PB, MB, 2016) a. Voluntary buyback (BS, PB) 2. Ban all guns in K-12 schools, colleges, and universities except law enforcement. (MB) 3. Keep guns out of dangerous hands. (JB, EW, BS, PB, MB, 2016, 2020) 4. Expand universal background checks. (JB, EW, BS, PB, MB, 2016, 2020) 5. Close loopholes that permit unmarried domestic abusers to have guns. (BS, PB, MB) 6. Set a temporary ban on gun possession by assault and other violent misdemeanor offenders. (MB) 7. Prohibit people convicted of hate crimes from possessing firearms. (PB) 8. Require every gun buyer to get a permit before making a purchase. (MB) 9. Allow for extreme risk screening before permits are issued. (MB) 10. Enact red flag laws that permit taking guns from at-risk persons. (JB, BS, PB, MB) 11. Establish a nationwide gun licensing system. (PB) 12. Have a central system to identify individuals barred from owning guns. (MB) 13. Require all gun buyers to wait at least 48 hours before any firearm purchases. (MB) 14. Require all gun owners to report lost or stolen weapons within 3 days after they know or should know that their guns are missing. (MB) 15. Require secure storage of firearms. (MB) 16. End the online sale of firearms and ammunitions. (JB) 17. Bar online publication of 3D-printing gun blueprints. (BS, MB) 18. Extend reporting requirements for multiple purchases and/or bulk sales, (EW) 19. Give states incentives to set up gun licensing programs. (JB, EW, PB) 20. Expand the number of sales covered by existing age provisions requiring age 18. (EW) 21. Require gun buyers of handguns, semi-automatic rifles, and shotguns to be at least 21 years old. (MB) 22. Treat gun violence as a public health crisis and fund research. (PB, MB, 2016, 2020) 23. Repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) (EW, PB, MB, 2016) 24. Prosecute gun traffickers. (EW, MB) 25. Fight attempt to make it harder for the Bureau of ATF to revoke federal licenses from law-breaking gun dealers. (EW, 2016) 26. Crack down on “straw purchases” where people buy guns for criminals. (BS, MB) 27. Confront the gun lobby head-on. (BS, MB) 28. Appoint a White House gun coordinator to mobilize the public to fight gun violence and launch an interagency hub to fight gun violence. (MB) 29. Allow the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to treat guns like other household products so that the federal government will have the power to set safety requirements for gun technology. (MB) 30. Increase funding: $100M annually for local violence intervention programs, up to $100M for ATF funding by, at least $100M for public health research into gun violence. (MB) 31. Invest in evidence-based urban gun violence intervention programs proven to work. (PB)

Conservative Perspectives (The Right) 2016 – Republican Party 2016 Platform https://gop.com/platform/ RSC – Republican Study Committee 2019 https://rsc-johnson.house.gov/ 2020 – Trump-Pence 2020 https://www.promiseskept.com/

2nd Amendment: Right of the people to keep and bear arms.

1. Uphold the right of individuals to keep and bear arms to exercise their God-given right of self-defense for the safety of their homes, their loved ones, and their communities. (2016) 2. Enact legislation allowing law-abiding Washingtonians (DC) to own and carry firearms. (2016) 3. Enact the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act between states. (RSC) 4. Support firearm reciprocity legislation and constitutional carry statutes. (2016, RSC) 5. Oppose federal licensing or registration of law-abiding gun owners, registration of ammunition, and restoration of a gun ban. (2016) 6. Oppose laws that restrict magazine capacity or ban the sale of the most popular and common modern rifle. (2016) 7. Oppose any effort to deprive individuals of their right to keep and bear arms without due process of law. (2016) 8. Condemn frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers and the current Administration’s illegal harassment of firearm dealers. (2016) 9. Halt the current Administration’s unconstitutional automatic denial of gun ownership to returning members of our Armed Forces who have had representatives appointed to manage their financial affairs. (2016) 10. Prohibit funding of Operation Chokepoint and any similar ideological, discriminatory programs, which permitted the DoJ and FDIC to pressure banks into refusing financial services for legal businesses, such as firearms dealers, to which the former administration was ideologically opposed. (RSC)

Activity 5 Gun Control Potential Actions

ASAP Model (Youth Service America)

What can I do?

What can we do?

Social Connectedness: The Role of the Local Church in Building Community https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312618350_Social_connectednessthe_role_of_the_local_church_in_b uilding_community

Faith communities have three distinct functions: 1. As a spiritual well for participants 2. As a source of community, providing social and instrumental supports to its members and others who seek help, and fostering social and cultural capital among active participants 3. As a source of empowerment and change, both individual transformation and change in institutions or society.

Activities faith communities can undertake to build community. • Providing hospitality and support through community meals • Connecting with young families through play groups • Providing poverty relief through food-banks and other forms of material aid • Building individual and community capacity through music groups • Helping people to develop relationships through friendship clubs • Engaging and supporting asylum seekers and people from culturally diverse communities Virginia Organizations & Agencies

VA Department of Criminal Justice – Crime Prevention Community Program https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/law-enforcement/programs/certified-crime-prevention-community-program

One of the first of its kind in the nation, the program encourages localities to develop and implement collaborative community safety plans within a flexible framework designed by the Commission. Furthermore, it provides an ongoing process by which communities can reassess and update their plans to address emerging community safety issues. To obtain certification, a locality must meet 12 core community safety elements/strategies augmented by a minimum of seven approved optional elements. DCJS runs and monitors the program.

National Organizations & Agencies

National Institute of Justice Crime Solutions https://www.crimesolutions.gov/TopicDetails.aspx?ID=10

A clearinghouse of community crime prevention programs or strategies that target changes in community infrastructure, culture, or the physical environment in order to reduce crime. The diversity of approaches include neighborhood watch, community policing, urban or physical design, and comprehensive or multi- disciplinary efforts. These strategies may seek to engage residents, community and faith-based organizations, and local government agencies in addressing the factors that contribute to the community’s crime, delinquency, and disorder. These options are graded as Effective, Promising, or No Effects.

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence https://ncadv.org/

Our mission is to lead, mobilize and raise our voices to support efforts that demand a change of conditions that lead to domestic violence such as patriarchy, privilege, racism, sexism, and classism. We are dedicated to supporting survivors and holding offenders accountable and supporting advocates.

We seek macro-level change in order to create a society in which domestic violence is never tolerated or minimized, in which victims and survivors are respected, and in which service providers have the resources to serve all victims and survivors.

National Crime Prevention Council http://archive.ncpc.org/index.html

The National Crime Prevention Council’s mission is to be the nation's leader in helping people keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe from crime. To achieve this, NCPC produces tools that communities can use to learn crime prevention strategies, engage community members, and coordinate with local agencies.

International Organizations & Agencies

Alliance of NGOS on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice https://cpcjalliance.org/

To bring together in one worldwide and multi-disciplinary coalition representatives of non-governmental organizations engaged in research, teaching, practice, advocacy and reform in the fields of crime prevention and