Gun Rights or Gun Control: Questions

Introduction | Definitions | Gun control | Gun rights | International voices | Internet | Questions

Here are a few questions you might want to think about as you explore the resources on this page:

1. Concept Safari: Search the web for the following concepts. Use the search technique described in the University of Illinois Grammar Safari page to find uses. Find example pages, print them out, and be prepared to share with the class. Be sure to save the exact URL of each example you collect.
   background check
   gun registration
   gun show
   right to bear arms
2. Vocabulary Safari:
   availability
   conceal
   ownership
   permit
   restrict
   • Locate 6 examples of the word by using the search techniques described on the Grammar Safari page. Try to locate 3 examples from web pages related to the issue of guns and 3 from pages related to other topics. Copy the examples to a word processing file to save for later.
   • Paraphrase the example sentences.
   • Write 2 sentences using each word.
   • List and practice: write these words on a small index card. Keep it with you and use each word at least twice a day for the next 5 days.
3. Both Sides: write or prepare for oral presentation a brief summary of the arguments for issues of gun rights and gun control. Support your explanation with references to online resources. You might want to use one or more of the following questions as a basis for you presentation:
   • What are the main points of the argument against gun control?
   • What are the main points of the argument for gun control?
   • A lot of the debate in the United States concentrates on the interpretation of the US Constitution; what does the document say, and what do differing sides think that this means?
4. Website analysis: Choose a website from among the links on this page, or find another on the topic. Write a short paper or prepare an oral presentation answering the following questions:
   • What is the site's purpose?
   • What is the intended audience of the site?
   • Is the site's information up-to-date; how can you tell?
   • Is the site's information reliable; how can you tell?
   • For what kind of writing would this website be an appropriate source?
5. Essay: choose one of the questions below and write a one- or two-page typed essay which answers it. Use at least two or three references to internet resources, and be sure to cite them correctly (check our guide to citations if you need help):
   • Argumentative essay: Take a position for or against a system of strict gun control. Support your position with facts and/or the opinions of accepted authorities. As part of your essay, respond to the objections that others may have to your position.
   • Summary essay: Should citizens have the right to carry concealed weapons? Some states in the US have recently introduced or passed 'Right to carry' laws which allow people to carry hidden guns. Others believe such laws would only increase the number of violent deaths. Summarize both points of view.
   • Comparison essay: Compare gun laws in two countries or in two states of the United States.
   • Reaction essay: In Britain, the 'Advertising Standards Authority' has judged on at least two complaints regarding what some readers felt were offensive anti-gun advertisements from the Gun Control Network. Look at the two advertisements (advertisement 1 and advertisement 2) and click to read the Authority's judgement ('adjudication'). Then write an essay explainin g the judgements and evaluating them from your personal point of view.
6. Poster project: Create a poster showing the differences in gun control laws in the various states of the United States, or in various countries around the world.
7. Your links: Find one or two sites which people who have used this page might want to explore. Note the URLs and write a brief description of why people would like to visit these sites.