If you want to get people talking, bring up the 2nd Amendment and our Constitutional rights to "bear arms." This topic is an extremely polarizing topic with those on the left and those on the right taking very hardline stances. We know that a total ban on guns is not feasible (it worked so well with drugs and abortion), but ignoring the problem has not worked either. With mass shooting in places, such as Sandy Hook and Parkland, we can no longer ignore these issues, but how do we avoid passing knee jerk legislation that is effective?

1. Discuss gun legislation and how it changed over the last 100 years? How has the media and political interest groups affected the way we view guns? Why is it important to enact gun legislation on fact rather than fear?

2. While the self-defense doctrine is problematic, a one-size fits all approach to this controversial topic is not appropriate? Discuss the following:

What is the self defense doctrine (duty to retreat vs. stand your ground/castle) and when can such claims be made?

While often linked, how are the cases of Kyle Rittenhouue and Ahmaud Arbery's murderers different?

• Discuss the legal grounds for the juries' decisions in these cases. HINT: Legally these were the right verdicts based on the law.

Walker, S. (2015). Sense and nonsense about crime, drugs, and communities (8th edition).
Stamford, CT: Cengage.