Global Comprehension

Arming Citizens to Fight Crime

Which of the following statements about the text is correct? In some cases more than one answer is possible. Give reasons for your decisions.

1. In this text the author

a) presents an objective discussion of the
question of gun control.

b) argues in favor of gun control.

c) opposes the idea of gun control.

2. According to Frank Borzellieri, New York's
gun laws

a) have improved the protection of citizens.

b) have at least made the janitors feel safer at
work.

c) have made criminal activities less
difficult.

3. The author quotes Bernhard Goetz

a) in order to reveal the inconsistency of
Goetz's defense.

b) to point out the inconsistencies in Mayor
Koch's statements.

c) to back his own viewpoint.

4. Roy Innis, chairman of CORE,

a) is one of the many black leaders who
oppose stronger gun control laws.

b) favors less strict gun laws.

c) believes that stricter gun laws help
criminals more than ordinary citizens.

Discussion

1. List the arguments Frank Borzellieri uses for
and against gun control. Show how he tries
to put greater emphasis on his argument by

• choosing examples that support his
viewpoint

• quoting people who share his view

• using rhetorical devices to depreciate
opposing views.

Discuss whether you think the author succeeds in getting his message across to the reader.

2. Analyze the following opinion poll and
compare the figures with the point Frank
Borzellieri wants to make in his article.

HANDGUN CONTROL

Should laws covering the sale of handguns be made more strict, less strict or kept as they are now? (Gallup)

1975 1980 1981 1983 1986

More strict 69% 59% 65% 59% 60%

Less strict 3 6 3 4

Kept same 24 29 30 31

Some communities have passed laws banning the sale and possession of handguns. Would you favor or oppose having such a law in your community? (Gallup)

I---------------------------------------- 4/86-1

All Men Women Whites Blacks

Favor 47% 39% 55% 45% 59%

Oppose 47 57 38 49 34

3. How strict are the gun control laws in your
country?

4. Do you think guns should be banned in the
U.S.? When discussing this question, take
into consideration:

LAW, CRIME, AND JUSTICE 111

• the situation of young urban blacks as
described by Brent Staples in the text A
Brother's Murder.

• the 2nd Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution: "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."

• a statement by Neal Knox of the National
Rifle Association: "The right of
self-defense is a fundamental one, and if I
know how to use a gun and feel I need one
for self-defense, whose business is it to say
that I shouldn't own one?"

• the statement of a police sergeant in
Houston, a city with a high crime rate:
"It's getting to the point where it's up to
the citizens to protect themselves. And the
way to do that is with guns."

Comprehension

The Death Penalty: Legal Cruelty?

1. Why was the discussion about the death
penalty more urgent at the time the article
appeared than ten years before?

2. In its Furman and Gregg decisions how did
the Supreme Court rule on the question of
the circumstances under which the state has
the right to take the life of one of its citizens?

3. According to Donald B. Walker, which aspect
of the issue did the Supreme Court deal with
and which aspect did it ignore?

4. How do the concepts of law and justice relate
to each other?

5. What is the author's view on capital
punishment?

6. How does he support his view?

7. What is the author's opinion on carrying out
executions by lethal injection?

Debate

Have a debate on the motion:

"Capital punishment is unethical and should be

banned."

Date: 2015-12-18; view: 780