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Boys and guns

June 5, 2001
Web posted at: 3:27 PM EDT (1927 GMT)

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Curriculum connections: Health-Gun safety

Objectives
Students will be able to:

Determine the key components of the study "Seeing is Believing: What Do Boys Do When They Find a Real Gun?"
Design a youth program to promote gun education and safety.

Standards
National Council for the Social Studies
IV Individual development and identity, grades nine -12
High school students need to encounter multiple opportunities to examine contemporary patterns of human behavior, using methods from the behavioral sciences to apply core concepts drawn from psychology, social psychology, sociology, and anthropology as they apply to individuals, societies, and cultures.

Materials
CNNfyi.com article, " Study: Boys who find guns will likely handle them"
Internet access
Posterboard, colored pens and pencils

Suggested time
One class period

Procedure
1. Survey the class and determine how many of the students' households have guns. Then ask the students, "What specific information have your parents shared with you about gun safety?"
2. Have students read the CNNfyi.com article, " Study: Boys who find guns will likely handle them" and ask the following:

What did the study "Seeing is Believing: What Do Boys Do When They Find a Real Gun" conclude? Who participated in the study? How were the participants selected? What behaviors were looked for during the 15 minutes of observation? Why do you think boys were selected for the study?
How did the study "set up" the room for observing the participants? How many of the participants found the gun? Are you surprised at the number? How many participants left the room to tell an adult about the gun? Why do you think only one boy went to tell an adult about the gun? Why do you think the participants had a difficult time determining if the gun was real or not?
What is the NRA? What is the NRA's argument about the study? What program does the NRA offer to promote gun safety? Inform the students that Amendment II in the U.S. Constitution states, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." What do you think this means? In your opinion, is the Second Amendment open to interpretation? Why do citizens have different viewpoints about the amendment's meaning?

3. Share with the students the quote by Dr. Arthur Kellermann, co-author of the study, who said, "Firearm safety programs like Eddie Eagle play a significant part. But, in dealing with children in this age group, parental involvement is paramount." Ask students to discuss and explain the quote.
4. Ask students how many children are killed by accidental shootings in the United States. How many children receive non-fatal injuries? Inform students that the study states, "Strategies to reduce the risk of unintentional gunshot firearm injuries of children can be grouped under the three 'E's' of injury control: education, enforcement of safety regulations and engineering." Brainstorm strategies and methods to reduce the risk of unintentional shootings.
5. Divide the students into small groups. Direct each group to design a youth program for gun safety and education. Students can include the roles of students, teachers and parents for the program to be the most effective. Invite each group to share its program.

Assessment
1. Have each student create a brochure or poster promoting gun safety and education based upon their research and give to the guidance counseling office.
2. If possible, have students share their programs with another class.

Accommodations
Visual/spatial
Students can create a concept map of gun safety and education.

Challenge
Have each student write an essay in support or against gun control laws using the given study to defend their position.

Extension If you use CNN NEWSROOM, view the July 9, 1998 portion entitled "Clinton gun control" and use the Daily Guide for more questions and activities.