Gun Control in the United States, 2nd ed.

Gun Control in the United States: A Reference Handbook (2nd ed.)

2017

ISBN: 978-1-14408-3566-7

ABC-CLIO

http://www.abc-clio.com/ABC-CLIOCorporate/product.aspx?pc=A4681C

Choice Reviews

Sept. 2017, vol. 55, no. 1 (review #: 55-0023)

First published in 2006 by sociologist Carter (Bryant University) in the publisher’s “Contemporary World Issues” series, this new edition updates many sensitive gun-related issues, providing a basis by which students and general readers can draw informed conclusions about gun control and violence. The author describes horrific shooting incidents that have taken innocent lives in settings such as schools, cinemas, political events, and even office parties, once considered to be safe places. 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 US government. Contextual background introduces novice researchers to the public-policy controversies, derived from multiple disciplines including public health and law enforcement. The volume provides historical and current data, document terminology in a glossary, and events in an extensive chronology. It features a statistical snapshot of the consequences of gun violence in the US compared to a global perspective, recording the trends and number of acts of violence in homicides, suicides, and unintended or accidental gun discharges. The photographs let readers observe guns and better understand how criminal justice, the political system, the media, and scholars in different fields of study treat this serious topic.

Reviewer: J. Gelfand, University of California, Irvine

Recommendation: Recommended

Readership Level: General Readers, Lower-division Undergraduates, Upper-division Undergraduates, Two-Year Technical Program Students, Professionals/Practitioners

Interdisciplinary Subjects: Law & Society

Subject: Reference - Social & Behavioral Sciences

***

School Library Connection

Sept. 2017

(Entry ID: 2083647)

This is a balanced, well-researched, and formidable book in the Contemporary World Issues series. Carter, always careful to present multiple viewpoints, uses recent, vetted research on gun control, including current statistics and up-to-date studies, articles, and books. The opening section provides information about the prevalence of guns, the nature of gun violence, causality, the Second Amendment, public opinion, and the role of politics. Carter then highlights what he identifies as the Public Health Approach, the Law Enforcement Approach, and the Lawsuit Approach. Subsequently, three different views are presented in essays that argue for stricter gun laws, fewer laws, and for a flexible approach depending on the type of law invoked. The book also profiles key individuals and organizations for both sides of the issue and collects extensive data and documents relevant to the topic. This book would be a valuable resource for public and academic libraries, and perhaps might be useful in and appropriate for high school libraries that have extensive collections and a strong research focus. Glossary. Index. Timeline.