The Politics of Gun Control: Sixth Edition

The new edition of this classic text covers the latest developments in American gun policy, including shooting incidents plaguing the American landscape-especially Sandy Hook; the Aurora, Colorado, theater shootings; and the tragic death of Trayvon Martin-placing them in context with similar recent events. These incidents sparked a wave of gun control legislation at local, state, and national levels, some of which was successful, some doomed, and all controversial. At the national level, President Obama put his political capital on the line to push for new gun control measures, only to see them shot down by Congress. In Colorado, an ironic outcome of new state gun laws was the quick recall of two state senators, the politics of which are fascinating and explored here for the first time in detail. Robert J. Spitzer has long been the "go-to guy" on gun control and gun policy, and his even-handed treatment of the issue continues to compel national and international interest, including interviews by the likes of Terry Gross, Tom Ashbrook, and Diane Rehm. Where else will you find an author writing on this subject who is a member of both the NRA and the Brady Center? And only here will readers find the most up-to-date data and coverage of gun ownership, gun deaths, school shootings, border patrols, and new topics including social media, stand-your-ground laws, magazine regulation, and shooting-related mental health initiatives. • Covers major shootings since the last edition, including Sandy Hook and the Aurora Theater • Includes significantly-expanded analysis of recent "Stand Your Ground" laws, new developments with the ATF, and the spread of the concealed gun carry movement on college campuses • Presents new data on gun ownership, gun deaths around the world, public opinion, and more • Examines the most important efforts in over a decade to buttress America's gun laws