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Slicing through the emotional--but factually wrong--arguments of gun control advocates this book busts a number of myths, demonstrating with hard statistical data and riveting anecdotes.
Following up on his controversial study More Guns, Less Crime, economist Lott argues that widespread gun ownership prevents crime. He cites survey data and news reports to argue that the fear that victims might be armed strongly deters criminals, and that guns are used in self-defense or to ward off criminal threats about 2.3 million times a year. Because they impede law-abiding citizens' access to guns, even mild gun-control regulations-assault weapons bans, "one-gun-a-month" laws-actually increase crime, according to Lott, while right-to-carry laws lower crime and help prevent (or violently terminate) terrorist attacks and "rampage" shootings. Even measures to keep guns away from children, like "gun-free school zones" and "safe storage" laws that require guns to be locked away, are misguided because children need guns for self-defense (he cites news reports of kids as young as 11 gunning down criminals). The benefits of untrammeled gun availability are clear, Lott insists, and only the anti-gun bias and selective reporting by the media and government officials have kept this fact out of public consciousness. Lott supports his bold claims with elaborate statistical analyses that tease sometimes small effects out of the welter of factors that influence crime rates; there are lots of graphs and tables, and much space is devoted to scholarly discussions of statistical methodologies. Many readers will find these sections rough going, but Lott's provocative thesis is sure to stir interest among second-amendment stalwarts and gun-control supporters alike. (Mar.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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May 15, 2007: I havn't even read the book yet but any book that is pro gun is got to be great, I've heard ALOT of Great things about this book. A must buy!!!
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December 23, 2006: That they offer no evidence that Gun ownership doesn't reduce violent crime. I wonder if Saddam allowed gun ownership rights. However every study concerning violent crime in non firearm-right nation, do they count the murders of the citizens of that nation by thier govt. toward that nations violent crime numbers. Unless those who died at the hands of an goverment where the victims of US policy. Any law enforcement misbehavior is a violent crime in the U.S. In Cuba, govt. abuse is not even allowed to be reported, However, every study reported shows Cuba as having a lower violent crime rate than the US. The Second Amendment is there to protect the existance of the Constitution. The 2nd Amendment is truly a call to arms to moniter this govt of the people, by the people, for the people.