School Prayer, Gun Control, and Right to

Assemble
By: Joel, Jade, and Thomas
School Prayer
Example Today
Archdiocese of Washington v. Wash.
Metro. Area Transit Authority
The first Amendment of the
Constitution establishes that Religion
and Government need to be seperate.
This means that it is difficult for
Schools and other Government
buildings to support any form of
Religious Activities

In the video it brings up an

interesting perspective however
where after serval African
American youths have been
murdered a priest wants to lead a
prayer to be a memorial to one of
the students in class
Ethical For the School Prayer

● Could make a student feel reassured about the

current situation
● The main point is the memorial service and not
the prayer

Against the School Prayer

● Could make a student feel pressured to join in

even if they don’t share the same beliefs
● A religious prayer is better performed in a
religious building
● A memorial service can be performed in the
School without being attached to a specific
religion
Moral For the School Prayer

● If the parents support it and the community is

similar than their should be no problem in
having a prayer in school.

Against the School Prayer

● Religion is better practiced by people of the

Religion and not a group of Students
Legal For the School Prayer

● As long as the focus is on the memorial service

and not on the prayer
● The prayer can also be non denominational and
be optional
● It also does not need to be called a prayer and
could be a meditation time for students instead

Against the School prayer

● The 14th Amendment and Incorporation

doctrine
● Starting a prayer in a School can lead to further
religious activities in schools
● The word prayer can still be associated with
religion and make people feel uncomfortable
Gun Control
The Second Amendment to the Constitution secures the right to keep and bear arms.

It states that, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the
people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
Ethical Guns Used for Defense

● One of the ethical issues surrounding guns is

In the video, it was stated that there are whether or not it’s used for protection. Some
less problems with the 2nd amendment, gun owners engage in this practice often, and
but more problems with what people do they will have to determine when there is a “bad
with guns guy” if they will have to use deadly force.

People do not seem to be against guns

used for hunting, mostly because those
Guns Used for Personal Gain
are used more responsibly than personal
guns. ● Guns should only be used for personal gain
when hunting. Handguns should be prohibited,
as they are able to kill a human. The same for
rifles. They are most commonly used in mass
shootings, and need to be prohibited.
Moral
Why Congress Should be Stricter with Gun Control

● Guns are deadly weapons. Any incident involving a gun

Most of the beliefs of people in America
fall under these two categories: why
congress should be stricter with gun
control, and why there should be more
laxity around gun control.
will never be seen as acceptable or even inevitable.
● It is more just, more safe, and more right to make gun
control stricter, or to ban it all together. This way, the
gun violence will hopefully stop.
● People have a right to own guns, but once that right is
abused, the responsibility and trust is lost.
● If guns are taken away, there is no protection left.

Why Gun Control Should be More Relaxed

● Being able to own a gun is part of your 2nd Amendment

rights. Congress is not able to change the Constitution
so much that guns are 100% prohibited. They can place
laws that protect everyone, but cannot get rid of an
entire amendment.
Legal
Guns
The legality of guns and how strict
Congress can go with gun control is
always argued.
While most people think that one side
is entirely wrong, both sides bring up
very valid points.
In the long run, Congress making gun
control more strict will end all the
violence we see.
Legality of Guns and the Rights Involved with Owning
● The Second Amendment clearly states that
people have the right to own guns. This is
something that is given to you and cannot be
taken away.
● The Second Amendment also prohibits gun
control. So, if Congress felt they needed to
change the entire Amendment, they could not.
The right is yours.
● Most gun owners are worried that they have
“wasted money”. They should not have to turn in
their gun if they have already purchased it.
● People have a right to own guns, and a right to
be responsible with them.
Right to Assemble
The 1st Amendment: “Congress shall make no law… abridging the right
of the people peaceably to assemble.”

● Combined with the freedom of speech, people have a right to

peacefully gather and parade, to demonstrate their beliefs on a
public policy.

Examples: Women’s Suffrage, Civil Rights Movement

Modern-day: Hong Kong March, Trump rallies, religious groups

Unconstitutional assembly: the January 6th riot, an unlawful

demonstration
Ethical
Even as the freedom of speech and the right to
assemble are preserved, both demonstrators
and the government must follow a set of ethical
standards.
For free demonstration:
● A right to assemble and of speech
● Remain peaceful and use voice to make change
● A disorderly crowd cannot be used to justify the
stopping of a peaceful assembly
For greater limits:
● Cannot abridge the right to assemble
● However, restrictions on time, location and
place, are allowed, as with permits and curfews
● Serve a government interest, such as when
demonstrations threaten public safety and
health
● Regulations must not be concerned with the
content of the speech, and should leave
communication open
Moral Demonstrations are moral:

● Regardless of how unpopular an assembly may

The right to assemble is protected for all
citizens, though should not infringe on the rights
of others.
be, it cannot be made prosecuted or made a
crime.
● From an individual standpoint, anyone and
everyone should have the right to express their
opinions.
● The right to assembly allows a group that
shares interests or values to collectively work
together towards a common goal.

Demonstrations infringe on others’ rights:

● Those that inflict property damage

● Resulting in the injury or danger of others
● Posing a public safety threat
Legal
Depending on their actions, an assembly may be
either protected or unlawful.
Unlawful Assembly
Protected Assembly
● Peaceful demonstration is lawful and should not
be encroached on by the federal government
● Hague v. C.I.O., 307 U.S. 496 (1939): assemblers
cannot be prosecuted for disorderly conduct
● Expanded to protect against loitering and
picketing laws
● Intent to disturb public peace, prove a “clear and
present danger”
● The use of intimidation and disorder to forcefully
produce danger
● Becomes a riot that can be guilty of a
misdemeanor
● FL and OK: illegal to block traffic
Sources
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