Description
Book SynopsisGun-related violence is an intractable problem. This book examines the gun control policy, and explains how it was adopted by discussing the roles and interactions of elected officials, interest groups, political parties, and the public. It focuses on the utility of gun policy.
Trade ReviewWilson’s book lucidly examines the key issues surrounding the contemporary debate over gun control. His work is well grounded in the latest scholarly literature and the best available data. -- Gregg L. Carter, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of History & Social Sciences, Bryant University
Provides and excellent assessment of why the billions of dollars that have been spent have yielded so little success. -- Philip Kronebusch * Law and Politics Book Review *
Wilson strives to bring rationality and logic to an issue too often defined by hysterically emotional arguments and moral claims. Rather than a simple evaluation of various gun policies, Wilson examines the factors and factions involved in the creation of those policies, as well as the effects the policies have had on the political fortunes of the major players in the struggle. Wilson presents an evenhanded account of the issues, and places what can be an alarming and confusing collection of statistics into an easily understood context that helps the reader come to his or her own conclusions outside of the polemical 'noise' typically heard. -- Eric Primm, Pikesville College * Criminal Justice Review, June 2009 *
A wonderful introduction to the far-reaching significance of firearms in America. This work is a very good supplement for an Introduction to American Politics class, allowing the instructor to weave a single topic through the many elements covered during such a course. The book helps the reader understand the parameters of the issue, by exploring the current structure of gun control politics and addressing the related conflict over the presentation and interpretation of information related to guns, gun safety, and crime. The author deftly handles a powerful topic, by making sound work accessible to the reader. -- John M. Bruce, Dept of Political Science, University of Mississippi
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 3 Guns and the Constitution Chapter 4 Statistics and Firearms Chapter 5 Gun Policies Chapter 6 Public Opinion Chapter 7 Interest Groups, Gun Control, and Elections Chapter 8 Guns in the Media Chapter 9 A View from a State: Gun Policy in Virginia Chapter 10 Politics and Gun Control Policy—Present and Future
