Two students were killed and three others were injured in a school shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California on Thursday, November 14, 2019. The suspect, who fatally wounded himself, was identified as 16-year old Nathanial Tennosuke Berhow, an Asian male. According to Capt. Kent Wegener of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, Berhow used a 45-caliber semi-automatic handgun in the 16-second attack that morning. While investigators have not found a motive for the attack, they have confirmed that Berhow used a “ghost gun,” an untraceable, self-assembled gun that is built from unregulated kits or 3D printers. According to experts and law enforcement officials, weapons, such as the one used by Berhow, are becoming a common way for criminals to bypass gun laws.
Instructors, click on the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom.
The deck contains a writing prompt, a debate question, as well as other assessment questions.
Video
Articles
· “The Saugus High School Shooter Used an Illegal ‘Ghost Gun.’ Authorities Warn More Criminals Are Using Untraceable Weapons to Get Around Gun Laws”
· “Untraceable, but legal DIY “ghost gun” used in Saugus shooting, police say”
· “In 46 weeks this year, there have been 45 school shootings”
· “What’s a ‘ghost gun’? Untraceable, DIY firearm used in California high school shooting”
Assessment
- Writing: Can you think of any legislative solutions to the “ghost gun” problem?
- Debate: All ghost guns should be considered illegal and regulated in the same manner as traditionally manufactured firearms.
- Poll: Do you think that there should be a uniform law across all states that prohibits ghost guns or requires a license to assemble them?
- Short Answer: What is a ghost gun and why is it considered untraceable?
Current Events Quiz
1.) According to CNN, there have been ______ school shootings in 2019.
a. 21
b. 32
c. 45
d. 56
2.)Which of the following statements pertaining to ghost guns is true?
a. they can be made from plastic parts
b. they do not require a background check
c. most do not have serial numbers
d. all of these
3.) Ghost guns are also referred to as _____ guns.
a. 60 percent
b. 70 percent
c. 80 percent
d. 90 percent
- Ghost guns exist completely outside of the regulatory scheme of federal and state law. (T/F)
- Under federal law, “ghost guns” are illegal. (T/F)
- The ATF can shut down the people who are selling the “ghost gun” parts. (T/F)
Featured Image: MagicMarc5/wikimediacommons