Outline

Intro:
Attn. getter: "The defence of one's self, justly called the primary law of nature, is not, nor can it be abrogated by any regulation of municipal law." --- James Wilson, Wilson, Of the Natural Rights of Individuals.
Preview:
A. There are many positive effects attributed with the use of a gun and deadly force in self-defense.
B. There are also many negative effects that are associated with the use of a gun and deadly force in self-defense.
C. There are many reasons why I agree that we should be able to use a gun with deadly force in self-defense.
Thesis: There are many issues surrounding laws allowing people to use deadly force with a gun in self-defense.

Body 1: Positive effects of deadly force while using guns.
Topic sentence: There are many positive effects attributed with the use of a gun and deadly force in self-defense.
A. Less criminal activity
B. Less violent attacks
C. Better sense of protection

Body 2: Negative effects of Deadly force while using guns.
Topic sentence: There are also many negative effects that are associated with the use of a gun and deadly force in self-defense.
A. Mistaken identity accidents
B. More crime
C. More murders
D. More guns in the hands of criminals

Body 3:Persuasion piece whether I agree or disagree that we should be allowed to use deadly force in a self-defense situation.
Topic sentence: There are many reasons why I agree that we should be able to use a gun and deadly force in self-defense.
A. Why do I disagree or agree with this?
B. Statistics to support my view
C. Evidence to support my view

Conclusion:
Clincher:
"Resistance to sudden violence, for the preservation not only of my person, my limbs, and life, but of my property, is an indisputable right of nature which I have never surrendered to the public by the compact of society, and which perhaps, I could not surrender if I would."
--- John Adams, Boston Gazette, Sept. 5, 1763,reprinted in 3 The Works of John Adams 438 (Charles F. Adams ed., 1851).
Preview of 3 main points;
A. There are many positive effects attributed with the use of a gun and deadly force in self-defense.
B. There are also many negative effects that are associated with the use of a gun and deadly force in self-defense.
C. There are many reasons why I agree that we should be able to use a gun and deadly force in self-defense.
Restate thesis: There are many issues surrounding laws allowing people to use deadly force with a gun in self-defense.

CHOMP 4

Murder is committed more frequently in the United States than any other country in the world and guns are the primary weapon. Guns are the leading cause of death for African-American males between the ages of 14-25. Crimes in the United States are more likely to lead to death. Every two and a half years firearms kill as many A mericans as the Vietnam War did. There are a few people who believe that purging the population from all guns would not reduce the firearm fatality rate. The United States' 230 million firearms are protected by the second amendment and that means that the guns would remain in civlian possession for quite some time. Lawmakers have recently tried to put more guns in the possession of people who obey the laws and less in the possession of criminals. More and more states have been passing laws making it easy for residents to carry concealed firearms.

CHOMP 3

After hearing about the Virginia Tech massacre people were in shock and outrage which was followed by some reflection on what we might have done to prevent the loss of innocent lives. Some people also feel that pro-gun laws may have deterred the shooter. Many people also question what might have happened if one student or faculty member would have been armed and trained with the used of a weapon in self-defense. Many people also wonder would that have made a difference?

CHOMP 2

Gun-rights advocates want to make it easier for people to use self-defense in that kind of situation. "Stand your ground measures" remove criminal charges and civil liabilites for people who shoot down an attacker. Ten states this year have passed a version of a self-defense law. The laws broadening self-defense is removing the requirement the "duty to retreat" before the use of deadly force. The laws specify that people have the right to use deadly force if they believe they are in danger and if they have the legal right to use it in that place.

CHOMP 1

Many people feel that a person's home is their castle and that property owners should have the right to shoot anyone who breaks into their occupied building. The Texas Senate and House approved legislation describing the law which could become effective September 1st. Advocates of the castle doctrine want to extend the right to vehicles and businesses. Prosecutors are worried that changes could make a case where someone filed a false self-defense claim impossible to win.

Annotation 8

Self-Defense use of guns by victims of crime are more common than crimes committed with guns. The ownership of a gun and the defensive use of a gun is more likely to prevent violent crimes and reduces burglary related injuries. If a victim has a gun they are more likely to protect themsleves from robbery or assualt. Criminals see victims with a gun as a risky target. The author feels that gun ownership is a nice addition to the police and other safety and securty measures like a burglar alarm. Victims who possess a gun gives them more options for security and safety. The author feels that a world with no guns would actually be less safe than world where victims had guns and criminals did not. If owning a gun reduces criminal activity than taking guns away would be a serious issue.

Annotation 7

This article talks about what might have happenened at Virginia Tech if a student or teacher would have been legally armed that day but since the school is a gun-free zone anyway only the killer was armed resulting in the murder of thirty-two people. This article also states how a principle in Arkansas stopped a shooter in the school with his firearm which was in his vehicle since the school was firearms-free zone. This article gives another example of when a shooter at a school was stopped by two students who legally could conceal and carry firearms but the school was a gun-free zone so they had to go to their vehicles resulting in the loss of time.

Annotation 6

This article talks about how us Americnas do not need more gun-control but we need more self-control. It also talks about what might have happened if some one like a teacher or student may have been armed with a gun and what could have happened at Virginaia Tech then. the article also states that since the Cho Seung-Hui killed all those people with a gun now gun-control advocates are going to shout out for more gun control but would it have been any different if he had blown himself up killing others would people cry out for more bomb control. It also talks about how we can not control the evil on the outside but we need to control the evil on the inside beecause that is where it prevails.

Annotation 5

Researchers think that half of America's households posses guns today. The ratio of handguns to all guns in the household is rising because of their small size. The asssumption is that these handguns are for self-defense. Guns are the leading cause of deaths for African American males between the agees of 14 to 25 years old. Advocates think that these self-defense laws will put fewer guns in the hands of criminals and more in the hands of law abiding citizens. Gun-control advocates also argue that by allowing citizens to own guns they are subjected to more violent actions. Some gun-control advocates argue that armed citizens do not decrease the number of firearms-related deaths. Self-defense advocates argue that America does not have a gun problem it has a problem with lethal violence.

Annotation 4

Increasing numbers of women are buying handguns to protect themselves. Many women are starting to buy handguns because they feel safer when owning a gun . A lot of women also conceal guns in their purses or in a holster even when it is ilegal to carry a concealed a weapon. A 1986 study in the New England Journal of medicine concludes a gun is more likely to cause a death of a household memeber than an attacker. Successful self-defense uses of guns are not as rare as anti-gun groups suggest. Florida State Universtiy professor suggests that one millon people use a gun for self defense every year. Civilians use guns just as often to protect themselves as often as criminals use them to commit crimes. Domestic homicides and childhood accidents are the least common of gunshot deaths.

Annotation 3

in this article a couple had to use deadly force and killed an ex-boyfriend who was threatening to kill them. They feel grief and remorse but they had to do what they had to do. The fact that they used deadly force has put a strain on their relationship and they have resorted to sleeping pills to get to sleep at night. They are not glad that this is what it came too but if they would not have used deadly force the ex-boyfriend would have killed them. The couple have bad memories about the incident and hopes that it doesn't screw up their relationship. This incident also worries the mom because she will have to explain to her son that his dad was killed by them.

Annotation 2

In Texas they are trying to get a law passed that will allow people to use deadly force in their castle metaphorically speaking which means that a person will be allowed to use deadly force in their car, house, and place of buisness. Advocates of this law would want to have this deadly force law extended to a person's car and workplace. Advocates want to remove the duty to retreat law. This law would require judges and juries to assume a person is justified in using deadly force. The deadly force bill has been carefully made to prevent the wrong people from taking advatngae of it. This law would also protect those who used deadly force from injured attackers or or their families. Gun-Control advocates fear that this law may lead to an increase in wrongful deaths or accidents. The police in Texas also say that the bill will not change the way they conduct their investigations.

Annotation 1

This article talks about whether states should pass laws allowing people to use deadly force instead of retreating from a violent attacker. If these laws were passed it would allow people to use deadly force without the burdens of civil liabilities and possible criminal charges. This article also states that some states have passed laws allowing the use of deadly force some of these states are Arizona, South Dakota, and Florida. Some argue that if we passed a law allowing the use of deadly force it would increase violence and others argue that it would decrease violence. Many also think that criminals will benefit from from a type of law like this because defense attorneys could seek acquittals in some criminal cases.

Favorite Place in the World

My favorite place in the world is sunny 300 days out of the year. There are no bugs so you can open your windows without worrying about creepy crawlers coming in. There is no humidity so you don't feel sticky and the temperature is perfect. My favorite place in the world is surrounded by big brown mountains. There are millions of golf courses with lush green grass and beautiful trees. Most of the houses are amazing looking and everybody drives expensive cars. Most of the cars have some sort of accessory whether it a lift kit on a truck or spinner rims on an SUV. All of the cars have blacked out windows too. In my favorite place in the world there are expensive office buildings with water fountains at every corner and gated communities.

Day 1- RAFT

For my spring break I went to Chandler, Arizona. In Arizona it was hot and sunny everyday. On Saturday it was 104 degrees. Everybody in Arizona has nice cars with the big rims and the blacked out windows. While in Arizona I went swimming and golfing. The golf course i went golfing on cost $175. My brother and I also harassed the golfers in my aunt and uncle's back yard. I also watched a spring training baseball game the Royals versus the Angels. The stadium was surrounded by mountains and people laid in the grass in the outfield . My aunt and uncle also took my brother and I to some fancy restaurants for dinner. one restaurant was built into the side of the mountain. I also went to a water park and the movies. I saw 300 it was a pretty good movie.

I am excited for third trimester because that means the school year is almost over and summer is almost here. This trimester I also get to have new classes like gym and I get to meet new people.

Day 5

Problem: The problem is that burning fossil fuel and clearing forests is increasing the Earth's temperature.

Statistics: There are many stats that support global warming. One stat is that the number of category four and five hurricanes has doubled in the past 30 years. Another stat is that Malaria is reaching new altitudes like 7,000ft. A third stat is that 279 species of plants and animals are moving closer to the poles.

Evidence: There is a lot of evidence that supports global warming. Another piece of evidence is that the flow of warm ocean currents towards Northwest Europe has declined by 30% since the 1950s. Another piece of evidence that supports global warming is that researchers have found a 50% increase in currents circulating within subtropical seas without researching higher latitudes. That is more warm waters are staying put in the tropics.

Examples and References: There are many examples and references that support global warming. One example is that Cyclone Larry is a category 5 storm with wind bursts that reached 180mph developed through out Northeast Australia. Another example that supports global warming is the firestorms in Indonesia which were caused by the fires started by a drought that swept through the island nation. Another example that supports global warming is the sections of ice breaking off in the Arctic Circle and in Antarctica. Hurricane Katrina and the devastation in New Orleans are related to global warming.

Solution: There are many things that can be done to solve global warming. One solution is to use energy more efficiently. Another solution is to watch what you eat because agriculture is one of the leading producers of greenhouse gas emissions and the emissions contribute to global warming. Another way to reduce global warming is to reduce the miles you drive and to keep your car tuned up. Some more solutions to global warming are to conserve and protect our forests and to encourage the switch to renewable energy. If we don't stop now it could be too late.

Day 3

1. State the problem: Students have too much homework at Tartan High School.


2. Give evidence: Some nights homework can last me from 3:00 to 10:00 depending on the workload. For example, when I have a had more than one project due at the same time in different classes. Teachers are also having trouble correcting all of the homework because they give so much do to to the change to the 6 period day. Many students also agree with me that we receive to much homework.

3. Examine contributing factors: Advanced classes. The 6 period day. My personality of striving to do my best.


4. Propose a solution: Plan my evenings better and accept some things as good enough. Don't waste any time and try to avoid interruptions.

Day 1

If my family wanted to spend more time together but we could not agree on what activities to do I would have everyone pick some activities they would like to do. Then we would switch every time alternating back and forth between each others activities until we could agree on some activities that we would all want to do. My family and I could set aside a specific time and date each week when we should spend the time and where we should spend the time. I would make everybody commit to the activity unless something important came up.