Assault Weapons and Mass Shootings

Introduce the Issue

Use the Explore the Issue sheet to discuss the issue with the students.

Ask the following questions to facilitate the discussion:

• What is this issue about?
• Which groups of people or states might be affected by this issue?
• Can you predict some positions that people affected by the issue might take?

Introduce and Preview the Bill

Introduce yourself as the Presiding Officer for this Senate session to consider a bill on regulating assault weapons. Tell students you will swear them in as new senators. Have students recite the Senate Oath of Office. Students will take on the role of a senator from the state they chose and begin to consider, and then vote on, the bill before them.

Use the Bill Preview to discuss the bill with students. Ask questions to facilitate the discussion:

• What problem prompted this bill?
• Which groups of people or states will be affected if the bill passes?
• Can you predict arguments for and against the bill?

Open the Floor for Prepared Statements on the Bill

Review the Senate Decorum handout with the students. Select two students to serve as the senators who will deliver the pro and con speeches. As the Presiding Officer, ask the student senators read the prepared speeches.

Note: Choose to assign either the Pro and Con Speeches or the Abridged Pro and Con Speeches. The Pro and Con Speeches are written at a 10th grade level and are Lexile 1200?1300. The Abridged Speeches are written at a 7th grade level and are Lexile 1000?1100.

Deliberate

Create small groups. Assign 5?6 students to each group. Have each group decide if they can agree to vote together for or against the bill or if their views are varied within the group. Have students discuss some of the facts that support their position on the bill.

Alternative: Have students meet in small groups by caucus, or share interests and positions on the bill to discuss how they will speak in favor of or against the proposed legislation.

Debate and Vote on the Bill

Open the floor to a final debate on the bill. Remind students of the state they selected to represent in the vote.

Have students participate in a debate on the bill. Begin by asking if any senators would like to make a statement about the bill and then recognize senators to speak.

Call for a vote on the bill. Announce that the Senate will move to a vote on the bill. Have students raise their hands to vote for or against the bill.

Announce the final vote.

Wrap Up

Give students an Exit Ticket or prepare them to complete the Reflection Essay for homework.

Exit Ticket: Write Press Release
Write a short press release (1?2 paragraphs) from your Senate office. Describe the bill and the issue the bill is trying to address. Write about whether you support the bill, want it revised, or reject the bill and why your position is important. Give 2?3 valid reasons for your position including the impact on the country and your constituents. Be sure to include a clear and interesting title, emphasize your main position, and maybe even include a quote from you or one of your senate colleagues.

Exit Ticket: Write an Op-Ed
Write an op-ed, or argument essay describing the bill and why you support or do not support it. Describe the issue the bill is trying to address. State whether you support the bill, want it revised, or reject the bill. Research the issue using additional resources to support your position, giving at least three valid reasons. Acknowledge and address the opposing arguments to your position using reason and evidence. Be sure to include a clear and interesting title and emphasize your main position.