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On January 8 2011, 23-year-old Jared Lee Loughner’s assassination attempt on Representative Gabrielle Giffords resulted in the killing of 6 people and injuring 13 others. The target of the shooting, Rep. Giffords was severely injured, taking a bullet through her head. Among the deceased includes a 9-year-old girl, Christina Taylor-Green, Arizona Chief Judge John Roll and Gifford’s community outreach director Gabe Zimmerman.
 * The Central Issue:**

Following this incident, many have stepped up to petition for stricter gun control laws. Gabe Zimmerman’s fiancée, Kelly O’Brien has called on Arizona state legislature to reduce the capacity of magazines to only 10 bullets. The Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights states that everyone has a right to bear arms for self-defence. But despite this tragic incident, many have said that gun control laws will not be stricter. Many have even said that if gun control laws were stricter, crime rates will not go down as there are alternative methods to harm other people. So what’s your view? Should gun control laws be stricter? Are there alternatives to combat such tragedies happening again? Are seemingly loose gun control laws the real reason for such violence?

This house believes that guns should be prohibited in order to prevent such massacres from happening again.
 * Debate Topic:**

Should gun control laws be stricter or is it the role of each individual to be responsible for his arms? Does the premise of self-defence justify the nation-wide legal carrying of guns? Is controlling the carrying of guns the way that America can prevent such tragedies?
 * Guiding Questions:**

Stephanopoulos, G, (27 February 2011). Gabe Zimmerman’s fiancée calls for reduced bullets in magazine. [] Shortridge, K, (2 February 2011). Stricter gun laws not the answer to violent crimes. http://www.miscellanynews.com/2.1577/stricter-gun-laws-not-the-answer-to-violent-crimes-1.2455694?MMode=true The Today Newspaper, regarding the funeral of the youngest Arizona shooting victim
 * Key readings:**

http://www.todayonline.com/World/EDC110115-0000193/Angels-watch-over-funeral-of-youngest-Arizona-shooting-victim

 * Youtube Videos**

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7YaOugdtgo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhDoFhuLYIM

**Supplementary Readings:**