The Gun Nation

Notion : Locations and forms of power

Cultural background : gun control versus freedom in the US.

Introductory document :

Document analysis

Oral comprehension practice :

SCRIPT

Just talking a little bit about gun control, at least within the country and even more or less this particular area because obviously firearms have been a big part of the American culture.
And it’s protected essentially through our Constitution on the national level and it’s also protected locally. Essentially here in Colorado, if you’re 18 and you have not committed a felony, you are entitled to have a firearm. Not only that, in Colorado you can carry that firearm with you, as long as it isn’t concealed, that is. And you don’t even need a permit, don’t need to register it at all. When you purchase a firearm, there’s a background check but, like I said, any adult can openly carry. They can have like a holster on their hip like in the old West and you aren’t committing any kind of crime. You can also apply for a concealed carry permit through the local sheriff. It’s called a CCW.
Now, we’ve been talking about handguns, but there’re certain kinds of firearms that are restricted. You can have some long guns like rifles and shotguns, but the automatic type weapons, like the military stuff, those things are illegal. Like I said, if you’re an adult and haven’t committed a felony, you can carry, you can have those things. You don’t need a... at least in the State of Colorado... you don’t need to register them. And it’s a very big part of the heritage of the Wild West.