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Disarmed: The Missing Movement for Gun Control in America (Princeton Studies in American Politics)

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Does that sound like an episode for a `Seinfeld' show? Goss is an "Assistant Professor of Public Policy Studies and Political Science" at Duke University. No other information about her background is given. This study began as a Ph.D. dissertation and was then developed into this book. She spent a lot of time on it. You should not read this one-sided book unless you have a good knowledge of the facts about this topic. Her statements are often incorrect. There was no "constitutional amendment prohibiting sales and possession" (p.62). Any good book on Prohibition will explain the history of this movement. It was designed to outlaw the meeting places of workingmen where they could talk about the things that affected their lives and the cure. Their oppression at work led to "industrial drinking". Prohibition did not increase prosperity and reduce crime but the reverse. It led to increasing power for organized crime, which often worked in tandem with the elite. Does Duke U. profit from the poisoning and killing of cigarette smokers?

The flaw, or Big Lie, is its unproven assertion that Gun Prohibition is a good thing; no proof in this book. The 1968 Gun Control Act was followed by increased rates of violent deaths (Figure 2.1, page 41). After it was passed the legal technician who wrote this law admitted that whole sections were taken from the 1930s Nazi Gun Control law. This Nazi law was followed by the worst political oppression and highest rates of violence in 20th century Europe. School shootings were unknown before the 1968 Gun Control Act but became a reality with the next generation. Localities with Gun Prohibition have the highest rates of violent death (Washington D.C.) while rural areas with widespread gun ownership have the lowest rates of crime. It all relates to economics and the absence of political oppression. The oppressed suffer from low wages, high taxes, and the poverty that causes crime and "senseless violence" (when somebody snaps). Areas with high gun ownership generally have more owner-operated businesses and a more egalitarian atmosphere.

The US has a lower rate of violent death than Japan or those "industrialized countries" that are never identified for comparison. America has more gun deaths just like it has more automobile deaths or private swimming pool deaths. A big country of 300 million with always have "more" than a smaller country with higher rates of deaths. That is why Gun Prohibitionists are either fooled by their emotional problems or misinformation by the corporate media. Or they are professional liars (from advertising), or lobbyists hired to misinform the public. Every day 3,000 people enter the US illegally to flee the hell of gun-free countries! Figure 4.2 on page 140 shows the after-effects of the 1968 Gun Control Act in increased murders. Or are they caused by factors that can't be mentioned, such as the increased watching of cable TV shows? Goss doesn't tell that Morton Grove's law (p.162) was an attempt to prevent the competition of a new gun shop! Handguns were banned but there were no reports of anyone turning their guns in for confiscation. Starting in 1989 Florida there are now 36 states with a "right to carry" laws. The lack of this fact in this book demonstrates its bias and failure to adequately cover the topic of gun control. The high "fog index" for these chapters prevents its intended use but allows it to serve as a warning about its strategy. Chapter 7 indicts the gun control movement. Does Goss think corporate millions are needed for more political oppression?

After reading this political fantasy, I am struck that the only thing missing from this book is the simple, logical question, "Why would ANYONE who still has a right, give up that right or any right, especially when it is a means to defend themselves or their family?" The founders of this nation would be shocked!

This excellent book tackles a continuing paradox in American public life: why despite overwhelming public opinion in favor of gun control does America not have an effective gun control movement? Professor Kristin Goss provides an incisive and thoughtful analysis of this paramount issue. The book is compellingly argued and well researched, and is written in a straight forward and concise manner that is rare in academic texts. I am puzzled by the first posted review: did the reviewer actually read Prof. Goss' book? It appears that the reviewer merely used his space to advance his own pro-gun agenda. This book is not a gun control screed, as the first reviewer would have it be. In fact Prof. Goss devotes an entire chapter to problems with the gun banning philosophy. The book is a careful and well-balanced discussion of the political roots one of the most troubling features of American life, the persistence of firearms violence. I highly recommend this captivating book to all who seek to broaden their understanding of the politics of gun control.

Goss's discussion of gun violence in America will be hated by the pro-gun lobby. "Disarmed" is a well-reasoned investigation on gun-violence in our nation, a nation which has out-of-control deaths by gunfire, far and away more deadly than any other nation not at war, and, not coincidentally, also the most lax for gun regulation. Yes, we have the Second Amendment, and the pro-gun lobby uses it to hide a deadly agenda, but none of the suggestions of the gun control movement would prevent legal gun owners from protecting their homes? How many tens of thousands of deaths more do we need before our legislators see the need for stricter regulation? Goss investigates the reasons for the lack of regulation and suggests wasy to reduce the violence by keeping guns out of the hands of those who would abuse them. An insightful read for one of this nation's most important topics.