Close friends were at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Ill., in 2022 when a mass shooting occurred. I grew up in Highland Park, and seeing the streets of my childhood on national TV was a horror I wish I could forget. Some scenes from the new Retro Report documentary How Gun Violence and the Supreme Court Have Shaped Second Amendment Rights (Transcript) took my breath away, making the process of writing this lesson plan deeply personal.
I remember the horror of the Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown, Conn., and wishing Adam Lanza had never had access to a gun. I also remember reading about a woman whose husband was serving in Iraq. She killed an intruder who broke into her home while she was alone with her two young children. At that moment, I was so glad she had a gun. How can people feel safe both in their own homes and at Fourth of July parades? I was grateful that Retro Report has tackled the topic of changing gun laws with accuracy, nuance and without bias.
The short documentary’s exploration of the evolving interpretations of the Second Amendment, from its original intent tied to a militia to later framing around personal protection, offered an opportunity to combine my passions for civics education and preparing students with future-ready skills. As a Civics teacher, I work to help students understand the foundational principles of our democracy while critically examining how they adapt over time.
The Second Amendment serves as a compelling case study in how historical context, judicial interpretation and societal needs shape constitutional rights. Through this lesson plan, I designed activities that encourage students to investigate these changes, analyze Supreme Court decisions, and reflect on the government’s role in balancing individual freedoms with collective safety.
LISA ALLEN has been a social studies teacher at Deerfield High School in Illinois since 1998. She is also an instructional coach who has presented at the Future of Educational Technology, and a member of civic learning organizations, including Retro Report, iCivics and the Council on Foreign Relations.
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