The Week of May 13, 2019

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News Team Recap

By: Lulu

If you've walked by the LRC during recess, you may have been surprised to see so many students in there each day. Sometimes, it's even pretty loud.

That noise was coming from The Hoffman News Team. Yes, we can be very hectic, but we put that spirit into our writing. We have wonderful, unique members including: Lulu, Siya, Simi, Lindsey, Maria, Madison, Logan, Carlin, Patrick, Grant, Lucy, Brielle, Peyton, Walden, Vahan, Ema, Macy, Nicole, Anthony, Nico, James, Izzy, Isabel, Sydney, and Sonam.

Each member and article is interesting, amazing, and cool. We write about our opinions, events, world news, school news, and sports. The members that have been with us since the beginning of the year have done thirteen editions - if you think about it, that is a lot of hours worth of recess that has been committed to writing for others’ enjoyment, as well as our own. We wouldn't have had it any other way.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, the real reason we have all this is because of Mr. Pucciarello. He has been nice enough to give up his lunch breaks to help us learn how to write articles and we truly appreciate it.

We also appreciate all of the teachers and students who have read the news throughout the year, and commented on the stories we've worked so hard on. We wouldn't be able to do this without you.

Thank you so much, and we look forward to seeing what great stories come from next year's staff!

School News: 5th Grade tug of war

Opinion: Gun control

By: Sonam

Gun control is the effort to reduce violent crimes by strengthening laws on the ownership of guns. The use of a gun in a crime is much more likely to result in the death of someone than the use of other weapons such as knives. Many people own guns for protection or hunting, or for other genuine reasons. Although guns can be branded for legitimate reasons, guns can also be used to harm and kill people. Gun control laws aim to decrease the criminal use of guns as greatly as possible while trying not to interfere with any acceptable reasons.

To begin with, the federal government and every U.S. state have a few gun control laws. These laws involve two crucial approaches to help reduce gun violence. The first element includes keeping high-risk people from obtaining guns of any kind. The second element prohibits high-risk guns from being used by any person except for the police. Furthermore, high-risk people are those that are likely to misuse guns. They include drug addicts, mentally unstable people, alcoholics, and people with criminal records. State and federal laws forbid these people from owning and using firearms. Additionally, these laws prohibit sales of guns to minors. If this law is enforced more, Earth will adapt into a safer environment with less deaths every year.

Secondly, in the United States and other countries, laws have been changed to give law enforcement officials an opportunity to make sure the purchaser is not a high-risk person. For example, some United States communities require people who wish to own firearms to first get a license. In my opinion, the enforcement of gun control laws isn’t strong enough. Gun control laws should be strongly enforced because enforcing these laws can save many lives. On the other hand, guns can be used as tools for hunting, target shooting or as protection, but I still stick with the fact that guns shall never be given to a person who will use the gun unless they have a license such as hunters and police officers. In 1993, The Brady Bill was passed creating laws about purchasing guns. Moreover, in 1995, Canada’s Parliament voted and decided to require all gun owners to license and register their guns. Many European countries also require revolvers or pistols (handguns) to be licensed and registered. Although they do this, the enforcement of European laws vary greatly.

Lastly, people who oppose gun control argue that taking guns from citizens does not prevent the possession of guns by criminals. World Book states, “Opponents of laws forbidding concealed weapons argue that criminals are less likely to commit crimes if they think their victims may be armed.” In addition, many U.S. citizens argue that gun control laws violate their personal right to own guns. Almost all of these people claim that this right is guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The amendment says: “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.” In 1939, the United State’s Supreme Court ruled that the amendment does not prohibit most gun control laws. Many people who oppose these rules argue that with guns, they are able to hunt and keep guns for protection, and without them, they don’t feel as protected or safe.

In conclusion, many law-abiding citizens feel protected with guns, as others don’t. People should be mindful about the appropriate usage of guns. In light of some recent, horrific events (for example, the recent school shooting in Colorado), the government and people may need to reconsider the appropriate gun laws. In my opinion, there needs to be a call for action to stop this ruthless violence.

Weather

Would You Rather?

By: Vahan

Caution: This may be disgusting, insightful...or dangerous!

Would you rather...

Eat ten medium sized burgers or would you rather eat one, huge, jam-packed, juicy burger?

Have a sleek, fast car that runs out of gas or would you rather have a normal car that never runs out of gas?

Eat a peach pit or would you rather eat a napkin?

Have the same thing for lunch every day, over and over or would you rather have a variety but mostly consists of vegetables and fruit?

This has been Would You Rather!!!

Staff

Thank you to the entire Hoffman News Team for their efforts.

Each member of the team dedicates his/her entire lunch and recess hour, as well as time outside of school, to contribute to the news. We are extremely lucky to have such dedicated 4th and 5th grade students in our school community.

Do you have a news story for us to cover?

Submit your ideas for a news story by sending an e-mail to our producer.