The politics of gun control

Since its initial publication, this book has become the classic work on every important element of the tumultuous national gun debate in America. This new edition brings together the latest developments and research in gun politics, policy, law, history, and criminology to provide a comprehensive and accessible source widely used by scholars, journalists, and in classrooms. In this era of polarized politics, this book provides a unique window into how and why that polarization drives our politics. Among the new topics covered in this edition are the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, new Supreme Court protections for concealed carry permits, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on gun violence and policy. New to the Ninth Edition Examines current gun control legislation at both state and federal levels, particularly the circumstances that lead to the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022. Introduces the new constitutional standards for gun control legislation set by the controversial, pro-Second Amendment Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022). Provides expanded and updated consideration on related issues including: the rise of "gun carry" movements on college campuses, attempts to regulate "ghost guns," bump stocks and guns with high capacity magazines, .50 caliber sniper rifles, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 6 Capitol Attack, and the Black Lives Matter movement on contemporary gun control debates. Tracks the financial, political, and legal crises that threaten the dominance of the National Rifle Association and examines the rise of new gun rights groups, such as the National Association for Gun Rights. Presents new and updated statistical research on gun ownership in America, gun-related fatalities, public opinion support of "red-flag" laws and other gun control measures. Incorporates new pedagogical features of chapter summaries and discussion questions into each chapter.

"This book is the classic work on the tumultuous national gun debate in the US. The eighth edition brings together the latest research in gun politics, policy, law, history, and criminology and covers new topics including the Second Amendment sanctuary movement, the connection between the concealed gun carry movement and crime, the cascading troubles besetting the National Rifle Association coupled with a surging gun safety movement, the bump stock controversy, and the rise of red flag laws. This book provides a comprehensive and accessible source widely used by scholars, journalists, and in classrooms. New to the Eighth Edition - Covers the ascendance of the Second Amendment sanctuary and gun safety movements, resulting from heinous shootings in Las Vegas and Parkland, Florida. Tracks the financial, political, and legal crises that threaten the dominance of the National Rifle Association. Examines new policy measures including universal background checks, limits on large capacity ammunition magazines, the bump stock controversy, and "red flag" laws, among others"--

Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication Page -- Contents -- Preface -- New to this Edition -- Acknowledgments -- About the Author -- Introduction -- 1. Policy Definition and Gun Control -- Regulation, Public Order, and Public Policy -- Guns and Regulation -- The Gun Controversy -- The Gun Culture -- Policy Gridlock -- Social Regulatory Policy Analysis -- 2. The Second Amendment: Meaning, Intent, Interpretation, and Consequences -- Historic Roots -- The Constitution -- The Bill of Rights -- The Militia Transformed -- Supreme Court Rulings -- Other Court Rulings -- Bad History Makes Bad Law -- Conclusion -- 3. The Criminological Consequences of Guns -- America and Violence -- Choice of Weapons -- Homicide and Malicious Injury -- Suicide -- Accidents -- Self-Defense -- Guns and School Violence -- Gun Carrying on College Campuses? -- Stand Your Ground" Laws: Extending the "Castle Doctrine" to America's Streets -- Conclusion -- 4. Political Fury: Gun Politics -- Single-Issue Gun Groups: The NRA -- Explaining the NRA's Effectiveness -- The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence -- The Million Mom March -- New Gun Control Groups Enter the Fray -- The Gun Control Movement's Strategic Blunders and Newfound Strength -- The Political Balance and the Invincibility Myth -- Public Opinion -- Political Parties and Guns -- Conclusion -- 5. Institutions, Policymaking, and Guns -- Early Legislative Efforts -- The Gun Control Act of 1968 -- The Firearms Owners Protection Act of 1986 -- The Tide Turns: The Assault Weapons Ban -- The Brady Bill -- The Post-Columbine Reaction -- Lawsuit Protection for Gun Manufacturers -- Sandy Hook -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- Conclusion: Furious Politics, Marginal Policy -- 6. Gun Policy: A New Framework.

The new edition of this classic text covers the latest developments in American gun policy, including shooting incidents plaguing the American landscape--especially the Orlando nightclub shootings, the San Bernardino incident, and the ongoing legacy of Sandy Hook--placing them in context with similar recent events. The incidents described in the book sparked a wave of gun control legislation at local, state, and national levels, some of which was successful, some doomed and all controversial. Robert J. Spitzer has long been a recognized authority on gun control and gun policy. His even-handed treatment of the issue--as both a member of the NRA and the Brady Center--continues to compel national and international interest, including interviews by the likes of Terry Gross, Tom Ashbrook and Diane Rehm. The seventh edition of The Politics of Gun Control provides the readifer with up-to-date data and coverage of gun ownership, gun deaths, school shootings, bordifer patrols and new topics including social media, stand-your-ground laws, magazine regulation, and shooting-related mental health initiatives. New to the Seventh EditionReports on the pivotal 2016 elections, including the rise and victory of one-time gun control supporter-turned gun rights advocate Donald Trump. The latest data on gun ownership and use, revealing contradictory trends. New developments in the push to allow civilian gun carrying on college campuses, the controversy over so-called "gun-free zones," and a new examination of restrictions imposed on the Centers for Disease Control