CompuLegal

PROJECT SAVE WEB QUEST

SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS

Gerard Trimarco

High School for Math, Science and Engineering @ CCNY

Source: http://www.jonesreport.com/images/190407second.jpg

1: Introduction

“Shouldn’t handguns be banned? Aren’t they just used to kill people? Why are they legal anyway?”

“I have a right to protect myself from those who would do me harm. Also, the right to bear arms is protected by the Second Amendment.”

Both of these arguments are legitimate. Which side do you agree with?

In this WebQuest, you study the facts of the Quilici vs. Morton Grove case. Then you will research and write about a gun case that is in the courts today.

2: Task

Using the CompuLegal website, you will explore Quilici vs. Morton Grove court case. You will write one paragraph explaining whether you agree or disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision and why.

Then, using the sources listed in part 4 below, you will research and read about a more recent controversy regarding the right to bear arms. You will write a 2-page paper discussing the facts of the case, the Constitutional issues at stake, and what your position is and why. Your work should be typed (double-spaced in 12-pt font with 1” margins).

3: Process

Step 1: Using CompuLegal read and analyze the following court case:

· Quilici vs. Morton Grove

Step 2: Identify the arguments made by both sides and what Constitutional issues are at stake for each.

Step 3: Write one-paragraph explaining whether you agree or disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision and why. Use the facts of the case and the legal precedents to support your arguments.

Step 4: Using the resources listed below in section 4, read about a more recent gun control case from Washington, DC. Take notes on the arguments made by both sides of the debate.

Step 5: Write a two-page paper that includes the following sections:

· Background (What is the controversy about?)

· Pros & Anti (Explain both sides of the debate. What does each side argue and why?)

· Constitutional Issues at Stake (Which Constitutional rights are at issue in this debate?)

· Opinion (Which side do you support and why? Be sure to support your argument with relevant facts and legal references.)

· Sources (Cite any sources that you use in your paper.)

4: Resources

Constitution of the United States

http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.table.html

Glossary of Legal Terms

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/scales/glossary.html

“Justices to Rule on D.C. Gun Ban,” The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/20/AR2007112000893.html

United States vs. Miller (1939)

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0307_0174_ZS.html

A Right to Bear Arms

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/beararms.htm

5: Evaluation

Students will be graded based on the following rubric:

Grade

Case Analysis

Writes paragraph for case as required.

Supports arguments using facts from the cases and legal precedents.

Writes paragraph for each case, as required.

Arguments are incomplete or only partially supported.

Arguments are incomplete and unsupported.

Work incomplete.

Paper on Cell Phone Policy

Completes each section of the paper as required.

Clearly analyzes both sides of the issue, identifies Constitutional issues and legal precedents.

Supports opinion with facts and legal precedents.

Contains few, if any, errors.

Cites sources.

Completes each section of the paper as required.

Both sides of issue are outlined, but with little analysis.

Opinion is partially supported with facts and legal precedents.

Contains some errors.

Cites sources.

Sections of paper are missing or incomplete.

Incomplete analysis of both sides of the issue.

Opinion is incomplete and unsupported.

Contains several errors.

Sources are incomplete.

Several sections missing or incomplete.

Analysis is missing or only one side is presented.

Opinion is missing or unsupported.

Contains numerous errors.

Sources are missing.

Substandard, incomplete work.

Fails to follow requirements.

6: Standards:

This Web Quest meets the standards for

English Language Arts Standards

Standard 1

Standard 4

Social Studies Standards

1 History of the United States and New York

5 Civics, Citizenship and Government.

7: Conclusion

Having completed this WebQuest, you should have a better understanding of how the U.S. Constitution protects your rights. However, you will also notice that the law is open to interpretation and that sometimes you may not agree with the decisions reached by the Supreme Court. Hopefully, this exercise will compel you to explore other court cases involving individual rights and liberties.