The anniversaries of the Waco siege in Texas (April 19) and the Columbine high school shootings in Colorado (April 20) are an opportunity to address Second Amendment topics with students, using four Retro Report videos and their accompanying free resources. Equip your students with historical context by revisiting key events that have influenced the debate around gun control and the Second Amendment.
Why Waco is Still a Battleground in the Second Amendment Debate
In 1993, federal agents laid siege to the Mt. Carmel, Texas, compound belonging to a religious sect known as the Branch Davidians. The 52-day standoff would spark ongoing national conversations around anti-government groups and the Second Amendment. When the standoff ended, 86 people were dead. Televised footage has since acted as a reminder of Constitutional threats and anti-government militias. Ask students to explore why Waco and its aftermath continue to be one of the central talking points of the national debate surrounding Second Amendment rights. Use this video and accompanying classroom resources.
Why We Can’t Have a Civil Conversation About Guns
There has been an increase in advocacy for gun control legislation in recent years, reminiscent of a period when gun violence was similarly at the front of the public’s consciousness, following the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan and the shooting of his press secretary Jim Brady in 1981.
Jim Brady’s wife, Sara Brady, began advocating for legislation that would expand gun control. Her advocacy sparked a conflict with the National Rifle Association that continues to contribute to the debate over gun rights. Use this Retro Report video and lesson plan to dive into the history of America’s gun control debate.
Lessons From Columbine About School Shootings and Media Misinformation
On April 20, 1999, the students and faculty of Columbine High School faced one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. The investigation that followed sparked a conversation about news media misinformation. After two decades, and the nation is still struggling to agree on what has caused the rise of school shootings. Many have been drawn to the pattern of perpetrators drawing inspiration from previous episodes. Explore the impact of Columbine using this lesson plan.
How the Shootout at Ruby Ridge Resonates in the Gun Debate Today
In August 1992, federal agents attempted to arrest Randy Weaver, wanted for selling two sawed-off shotguns to an informant. By the time Weaver surrendered 11 days later, his wife, 14-year-old son and a federal agent were dead. A year later, the 52-day standoff in Waco, Texas, would once again ignite questions surrounding police tactics. Law enforcement practices changed after the two deadly standoffs, including the implementation of a policy that limits the use of deadly force by federal agents. Watch this Retro Report documentary to learn more about the impact of Ruby Ridge and the debates around freedom of speech, the Second Amendment and the reach of law enforcement.
For more resources on American politics and Constitutional rights, check out our AP U.S. Government and Politics Collection.
DAGMAR ROTHSCHILD is an education intern at Retro Report. She is an undergraduate at Georgetown, studying International Relations.
Stay up to date. Subscribe to our newsletters.
