Customer Reviews

Guns, Freedom, and Terrorism

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Wayne LaPierre has never been more on the mark or insightful in Guns, Freedom and Terrorism, and he doesn't bog us down with a 300 page pro-gun sermon like a lot of the books in the same field. The writing is sharp, to the point, and fresh (this book's not a sequel to Guns, Crime, and Freedom, by the way) and it's structured very well. Other Second Amendment writers lose a lot of their steam by pouring on too much of the their own hype. It gets boring. But LaPeirre, in each chapter, hits each nail on the head, then moves right on to the next point. Another thing that sets this book apart is the way it reveals how politics and the media are very stealthily trying to make us think that what the Founding Fathers wrote in the Second Amendment doesn't apply anymore. LaPierre's answer makes these politicians and media magnates look ridiculous in what they want us to believe. This book made me think a lot about our Constitutional right to bears arms, what that means today, and what it may or may not mean in the future.

Wayne LaPierre gives convincing arguments against the falacies of the gun control doctrine, and backs it up with highly credible references. I recommend this book for anybody sitting on the fence over the gun control issue. Climb down, read the book, and discover your rights as a United States citizen.

Wayne LaPierre is eminently qualified to logically and clearly present the irrefutable facts exposing the total ineffectiveness and grave danger of gun control. There may be other recent books as good as this one, but I haven't seen them yet. GUNS, FREEDOM AND TERRORISM is a single source of the most recent truth and data about the effects of gun control and incidents surrounding it. Most of the relevant data is boiled down here and presented in an easily-understood manner.

It is important that a book on gun control be regularly updated with the latest data. This book does that, discussing terrorism, the war in Iraq, the latest results of right-to-carry laws, Michael Bellesiles, arming pilots, the dismal failure of gun confiscation in Australia and the United Kingdon, and the problems of ballistic "fingerprinting."

Although the title might lead on to believe that this book is mostly about terrorism, terrorism is the main topic for only two or three chapters. A logical person might wonder how those who fear an armed citizenry could twist the terrorist attacks of 9/11 to promote anything but the further need of Americans to be able to defend themselves and their country. But they do, in their usual illogical manner. LaPierre discusses how the Brady bunch, et. al., believe that well-funded international terrorists are arming themselves at local gun shows, and points out the absurdity of their claims.

I have few and minor criticisms of this book. At first, reading the book from cover to cover, I often thought, "He's repeating that from a previous chapter." I then realized that the intent was probably to make each chapter stand alone. One can use this book as reference, looking up a particular topic, and just read the chapter on that topic. (Although I'd recommend reading the whole thing.) So this initially-perceived fault becomes an advantage. On some topics, I believe that Mr. LaPierre fails to define some terms that are known to someone who is familiar with the topic of gun control, but probably not to someone who is using this book to research the topic for the first time. One example is the "gun show loophole." I know what it is, but felt that he didn't define it well for the less knowledgable reader. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that these terms created by the freedom opponents are purposely designed to obfuscate what the term is describing. A person capable of critical thought would not consider the "gun show loophole" a loophole at all.

I also felt that the chapter on the Second Amendment quoted more of the founding fathers. Their intent was made very clear in the records from their time.

One can read books like Lott's MORE GUNS, LESS CRIME with all of the statistical gory details. This engineering Ph.D. with a math minor gets bogged down in reading it. Or you can read GUNS, FREEDOM AND TERRORISM and have all the results from Lott, Kleck, DOJ, etc. boiled down in one place.

I strongly believe that EVERY American should be familiar with the Second Amendment, its purpose, and what the intent of the founding fathers was. If all people realized the consequences of losing this freedom, they would all fight tooth and nail against the forces that wish to steal their freedoms. This is an excellent, coherent, easily-read book that would provide this basis.

This book is marvelous. For those who say that the 2nd Amendment does not guarantee the INDIVIDUAL right to bear arms, re-read the ENTIRE Constitution and look at the 2nd Amendment in context. Further laws limiting gun ownership will NOT prevent criminals and terrorists from getting firearms; they WILL, however, prevent honest citizens from protecting themselves...especially since the Supreme Court has already ruled that it is NOT the place of government to PROTECT individual citizens (this refers to local as well as state and federal government).

The book clearly discusses the meaning of "the people" and other phrases as used CONSISTENTLY throughout the constitution. If you are truly curious and actually have an opened mind and have not already set your thoughts in concrete, this book will be useful and enlightening - it may not change your stance, but it does give anyone capable of thinking food for thought.

This book is essential for anyone who is interested in the public debate on guns. Whether you support gun control or are against it, you walk away a little smarter after reading this book. Mr. LaPierre proved to be very knowledgable on the topic and leaves the question up to you- Will you sacrifice freedom for a false sense of security?

This is a well written book, it explains what exactly is going on in politics about guns and terrorism and freedom. It especially focuses on how Sept. 11 has change our way of thinking. The author is very pro Second Amendment and for keeping all right including the right to bear arms.

It explains how the media has twisted stories to make guns look deadly and bad. However, the author also tends to twist and leave out certain statistics to prove his point.

It's a good book. Of course it is a persuasive book. But anyone should read it; it will open up your mind, no matter what side you're on about guns.

A must read for those that care about the topic of gun control. For those that would say that the right to keep and arms is not an individual right, I would say that they have not done the research for themselves. This book is a good place for them to start.

"As civil rulers, not having their duty to the people duly before them, may attempt to tyrannize, and as the military forces which must be occasionally raised to defend our country, might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow-citizens, the people are confirmed by the next article in their right to keep and bear their private arms."
--- Tench Coxe, "Remarks on the First Part of the Amendments to the Federal Constitution", The Federal Gazette, June 18, 1789

"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States. A military force, at the command of Congress, can execute no laws, but such as the people perceive to be just and constitutional; for they will possess the power, and jealousy will instantly inspire the inclination, to resist the execution of a law which appears to them unjust and oppressive."
---Noah Webster, An Examination of the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution (Philadelphia 1787).
www.guncite.com

Mr. Lapierre is nearly as powerful a writer as he is a speaker. This country is beginning to sway so far from its foundation that it may soon tip! We have to remember why we are here, how we got here and what has gotten us this far.

There are those who would choose to take away our way of life, all of the good that has been built on the backs of our forefathers. Some of those are foriegn, some of those are American born, registered voters who want to strip this country of its right to protection. All of these people scare me!

The Foreword to the book is a transcript from an interview that the author did with Rush Limbaugh in 2002.

"Guns,Freedom,and Terrorism" addresses many issues relating to gun rights.
Some are:
*Arming airline pilots-The history of that issue and thoughts of airline pilots.
*What the "Kabul Document" really says.It has no mention of American guns shows!
*The Clinton Administrations blatant misuse of HUD and government funds to extort gun manufacturers through frivolous lawsuits.
*The medis bias against the NRA and the media's distortion of facts on a regular basis.
*The rejection by higher courts of the "collective rights" myth in favor of the Constitutionally guaranteed individual rights.Witness the recent Appeals Court decision finding the DC gun ban unconstitutional.

What I didn't expect to read in the book was John McCain's advocacy for the gun show law. As Wayne LaPierre points out, terrorists don't buy weapons at gun shows. That's fear-mongering.

He uses the Martin Bryant case in Australia as an example of how badly governemnts fail to protect citizens.The government failed to heed numerous warnings about Bryant.To cover their negligence they blame guns for the mass murders.

"Guns,Freedom,and Terrorism" is an answer to the gun control lobby and blatantly biased media.