The Politics of Gun Control

by Spitzer, Robert J.

• ISBN13: 9780872894174
• ISBN10: 0872894177
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-07-16
• Publisher: Cq Pr

Summary

The Politics of Gun Control is a gem: the unique case study that delves into a controversial topic students know something about--or at least have an opinion on--while raising important issues and questions about how the American political system works. Now in its fourth edition, this authoritative and fair-minded analysis of the gun control debate in the United States analyzes every important aspect of the controversy, including its history; the Constitutional right to bear arms; the criminological consequences of guns; and the role and impact of American governing institutions, interest groups, political parties, public opinion, and more. This fourth edition incorporates new research on the pro-gun control movement, the lapse of the assault weapons ban, Congress&BAD:'s enactment of liability protection for gun manufacturers, and renewed efforts to expand gun carrying and gun use at the state level, including, most importantly, the enactment of &BAD:"shoot first&BAD:" laws in over a dozen states. Whether it is used in American politics or public policy courses, this case study provides an engaging and clear-minded look at one of the most enduringly contentious and compelling issues in American politics.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Introduction	p. xi
Policy Definition and Gun Control	p. 1
Regulation, Public Order, and Public Policy	p. 2
Guns and Regulation	p. 3
The Gun Controversy	p. 5
The Gun Culture	p. 7
Policy Gridlock	p. 13
Social Regulatory Policy Analysis	p. 15
The Second Amendment: Meaning, Intent, Interpretation, and Consequences	p. 17
Historic Roots	p. 19
The Constitution	p. 22
The Bill of Rights	p. 24
The Militia Transformed	p. 27
Supreme Court Rulings	p. 29
Other Court Rulings	p. 33
The Textbook Bill of Rights	p. 34
Conclusion	p. 40
The Criminological Consequences of Guns	p. 43
America and Violence	p. 46
Choice of Weapons	p. 50
Homicide and Malicious Injury	p. 52
Suicide	p. 53
Accidents	p. 56
Self-Defense	p. 57
Guns and School Violence	p. 71
Extending the "Castle Doctrine" to America's Streets	p. 74
Conclusion	p. 75
Political Fury: Gun Politics	p. 78
Single-Issue Gun Groups: The NRA	p. 80
Explaining the NRA's Effectiveness	p. 90
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence	p. 101
The Million Mom March	p. 103
The Gun Control Movement's Strategic Blunders	p. 104
The Political Balance and the Invincibility Myth	p. 105
Public Opinion	p. 108
Political Parties and Guns	p. 112
Conclusion	p. 116
Institutions, Policymaking, and Guns	p. 118
Early Legislative Efforts	p. 119
The Gun Control Act of 1968	p. 121
The Firearms Owners Protection Act of 1986	p. 125
The Tide Turns: The Assault Weapons Ban	p. 129
The Brady Bill	p. 135
The Post-Columbine Reaction	p. 141
Lawsuit Protection for Gun Manufacturers	p. 143
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives	p. 146
Conclusion: Furious Politics, Marginal Policy	p. 152
Gun Policy: A New Framework	p. 157
Federalism: The Great Regulation Dilemma	p. 157
Gun Policy Alternatives	p. 160
The Barriers to Gun Control	p. 161
The Security Dilemma	p. 163
The Security Dilemma and the Gun Debate	p. 165
Nonproliferation and Arms Control	p. 171
Notes	p. 175
About the Author	p. 226
Index	p. 227
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