Gun Control in the United States: A Reference Handbook

(Hardback, 2nd edition)

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Description

This up-to-date second-edition work will stimulate and clarify readers' thinking on the key issues surrounding guns in the United Statesespecially on the debate over gun control. Most public debate and discussion about guns in U.S. society is rarely guided by researchnot surprising, as most individuals have a personal opinion on this highly inflammatory topic based on their upbringing or personal experiences. Additionally, most research about gun use in America is confusing and contradictory, making it difficult for citizens to gain much from their attempts to investigate the topic objectively. This book offers concise, understandable coverage of all aspects of the issue, including incidence of gun violence; gun control; gun rights; government regulation, legislation, and court decisions; gun organizations (for gun control and for gun rights); gun enthusiast subculturesfor example, hunters, target shooters, and collectors; and U.S. attitudes toward guns. Many of the covered topics are placed in historical and cross-cultural perspective. The new edition of Gun Control in the United States: A Reference Handbook enables the reader to navigate and interpret the research to become sufficiently educated on any specific aspect of the gun issue to make an informed decisionfor example, whether to support stricter or more lenient gun control; whether to become a gun owner; whether to support a particular political party or candidate; or whether to develop or to refine a particular philosophy regarding guns. Other aspects of the contemporary gun debate that are addressed include whether the Supreme Court's ruling that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right will withstand future challenges, whether the strong gun regulations used in Europe would be effective and applicable in reducing gun violence in the United States, and whether the diversity explosion created by the high rate of immigration from countries where guns are strictly controlled will soon change the politics of the U.S. gun control debate.

Reviews

The new content in this critical debate is presented in a balanced approach to educate readers about gun control and the specific laws and legislation in place at federal and state levels of U.S. government. . . . . Summing Up: Recommended. High school through undergraduate students; professionals/practitioners. * Choice *
This is a balanced, well-researched, and formidable book in the Contemporary World Issues series. . . . . This book would be a valuable resource for public and academic libraries, and perhaps might be useful in and appropriate for high school libraries which have extensive collections and a strong research focus. Recommended. * School Library Connection *

Author Bio

Gregg Lee Carter is professor of sociology at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI.