Gun Policy in the United States and Canada: The Impact of Mass Murders and Assassinations on Gun Control

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Description

The shooting at Virginia Tech in 2007 was one of the worst mass murders in the U.S., but it did not lead to any new federal gun control policy. In contrast, following a similar event in Montreal in 1989, Canada created new comprehensive gun policy. Such different outcomes are the focus of this survey, which sets out to explore the gun policymaking process in the U.S. and Canada in the aftermath of major events. It explores the many factors that lead to the drastically different reactions of the federal governments in each state if the aftermath of a mass shooting or assassination. To do so, it examines such elements as institutional arrangements, interest groups pressures (NRA, e.g.), and the party in power, studying the impact of such key events as the assassinations of J.F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Georgina Leimonis and shootings that occurred at Columbine, Stockton, and Vernon. A unique comparative study, Gun Policy in the United States and Canada will be an essential resource to anyone researching gun policy issues and comparative policymaking.

Reviews

"Fleming's penetrating analysis shows conclusively that institutions trump political culture in explaining why triggering events cause policy innovation in Canada but not in the United States. The key variables are the governmental structure, political parties, and interest groups, because both Americans and Canadians favor gun controls. This volume is perfect for courses in public policy analysis and comparative US-Canadian politics." - Raymond Tatalovich, Professor of Political Science, Loyola University Chicago
"This is an outstanding work of comparative policy analysis, written in an accessible manner. The U.S. and Canada vary in gun control policies despite similar public opinion on the issue. Fleming shows how a combination of factors: institutions, focusing events, interest groups, and partisan control of government, lead to different outcomes." -Donley T. Studlar, West Virginia University

Author Bio

Anthony K. Fleming is Visiting Professor of Political Science at the University of West Georgia, USA, where he teaches American Government courses.