RESEARCH LINKS
Issue 1: Gun Control Laws
ProCon.org Background on History of Second Amendment & Guns in America
RAND Corp.: Magnitude and Sources of Disagreement Among Gun Policy Experts
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC): America’s Gun Culture in 10 Charts
ProCon.org on Gun Control Pro and Con
International Civilian Gun Ownership Rates (ProCon.org)
FBI’s Expanded Homicide Data Table for 2016
Issue 2: Internet Sales Tax
Nolo’s 50 State Guide on Internet Sales Tax Laws
U.S. Census Bureau’s E-commerce Retail Sales Data
Reuters: “Trump Administration Backs States Bid to Collect Online Sales Taxes”
USA Today: “Supreme Court Will Decide if Online Retailers Will Collect Sales Tax”
Investopedia: Pros and Cons of an Internet Sales Tax
CNN: “Amazon to Start Collecting Taxes Everywhere” Article (March 2017)
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS
Issue 1: Gun Control Laws
- Are you for or against stricter gun-control laws in the U.S.? Why or why not?
- Which type of gun-control legislation, if any, do you think would be good for Congress to pass? Examples include banning bump stocks or high-capacity magazines, arming teachers, raising the minimum age, etc.
- Do you think the school shooting in Parkland, Florida could have been prevented? If so, how? If not, why?
- Are President Trump’s gun-control proposals likely to be effective? Why or why not?
- Why is the right to own a gun so important to Americans?
Issue 2: Internet Sales Tax
- Do you agree with South Dakota’s position that online sellers who make sales in a state should collect that state’s sales tax? Why or why not?
- Do you think it’s fair that someone can visit a local retailer to touch or try on merchandise and get guidance from their staff but then buy the same product at a discount online?
- In your opinion, what would be the best solution to putting all retailers on equal footing with regard to internet sales tax?
- Why do you think Amazon decided to start collecting sales tax in all states in March 2017?
- Compare and contrast the pro/con congressional quotes on p. 3 of the newsletter. Whose opinion do you agree with the most, and why?