Problem
a) School shootings are prevalent in the United States. Should parents be held criminally responsible if their dependent child takes a gun to school and kills others? Would your opinion change if the parents purchased the weapon for their dependent child? Would your opinion change if the dependent child took the gun to school and used it to threaten others but did not fire the weapon? If your opinions changed, why? What was the turning point for you? Regardless of whether your idea changed, what do you think would contribute to decreasing school violence?
b) The Battered Woman Syndrome Defense has been used in instances where a battered victim uses violence to defend against a violent partner. In your opinion, is battered woman syndrome defense justifiable homicide? Do you think this defense meets the elements of self-defense? Explain your responses.