Shots in the Dark [Paperback]

William J. Vizzard (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0847695603 | ISBN-13: 978-0847695607 | Publication Date: August 2000 0

Starting with Columbine, school shootings have brought the issue of gun control to the forefront of the American consciousness. Why it won't rise to the top of the political agenda is an important part of the story that Will Vizzard tells. Drawing on Congressional hearings, interviews, thirty years of research, and personal experience as a special agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the author takes a step back from both advocates and opponents of gun control to survey the U.S. gun landscape. What he finds there is a scene dominated by policy and public opinion extremism as well as a powerful combination of history and symbolism that impede the resolution of this conflict. Neither a call for gun prohibition nor a diatribe against gun control, this book is intended for those with a particular interest in firearms as well as serious students of public policy and criminal justice. In addition to covering a century of gun control policy, the author addresses such current issues as assault weapons, right-to-carry and concealed-carry laws, school shootings, and recent elections. Unlike its several counterparts, SHOTS IN THE DARK sheds light on a balanced and pragmatic approach to gun control legislation.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gun control has become an increasingly polarized issue in the United States during the past few decadesDand that's unlikely to change in the near future, according to this academic review of the subject by a former agent for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. After an examination of the scholarly research on the subject, Vizzard, now an associate professor of criminal justice at California State University-Sacramento, traces the evolution of the issue in the 20th century, including New York State's 1911 Sullivan Law, which required a police permit to possess a handgun, the 1938 Federal Firearms Act and the 1968 Gun Control ActDall of which were watered down by the NRA. (One thing that's missing in this study is an exploration of why the gun ownership movement is so much stronger in the U.S. than elsewhere in the world.) The author's proposals for reaching what he believes is a much-needed compromise on the issue are limited. They include increasing fees and penalties on dealers, tightening licensing restrictions on prospective purchasers and strengthening laws against repeat gun offenders. As he puts it, "There's little reason to assume that any outcome from research would alter the public's awareness of or characterization of the issue adequately so as to alter the political situation." In the wake of such highly publicized incidents as last year's shooting at Columbine High School and given the presidential debate on gun control, Vizzard may get some media attention for his findings, but the writing is far too scholarly for general readers. (The books to read this season on the subject are Michael Bellesiles's Arming America; see Forecasts, July 24; and, due in November, Oxford University Press's Gun Violence: The Real Costs by Philip J Cook and Jens Ludwig.) (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Vizzard brings twenty-seven years of experience to his subject, which is a detailed critique of every gun law passed since New York restricted handguns in 1911. (Times Literary Supplement )

After a long career enforcing America's gun laws, William Vizzard is uniquely qualified to referee the national debate on these laws. He offers a grounded assessment, nicely informed by history and interest-group politics, but especially by experience. And that experience helps illuminate the false dichotomy between controlling guns and punishing violent criminals: In fact, gun control laws actually facilitate the arrest and prosecution of violent criminals. That insight alone is worth the price of admission to this important book. (Philip J. Cook )

This is not a book for people looking for simple, easy answers to a complex problem. The author's extensive background has informed a well-researched presentation of the possibilities and pitfalls of all aspects of this burning national issue. (Michael K. Beard )

Both the public library patron and academic researcher have much to gain from this text. (Library Journal )

Invaluable to anyone interested in gun control, no matter what his/her personal position or level of expertise. All readers--even the most advanced students of the issue--will obtain important new facts and insights from it. (Don B. Kates, Jr. )

Vizzard has put forth a comprehensive, scholarly, and balanced study of the politics of gun control. An important work . . . policymakers will want to consider it carefully. (Choice Magazine )

In an attempt to present a balanced and pragmatic approach to gun control, this volume reviews a century of gun control policy and finds more than the NRA at work. Underlying the extremism in current public opinion Vizzard finds a context of history and symbolism that complicates reaching a resolution in this policy area. (Public Administration Review )

Very sophisticated thinking on this contentious issue. (Future Survey )

Anyone who really wants to understand guns in America should go first, and probably finally, to this book. (The Baltimore Sun )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (August 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847695603
• ISBN-13: 978-0847695607
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,556,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Politics of Gun Control, October 12, 2000

By 

Gerald C. Benedict - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shots in the Dark (Paperback)

This latest effort of William Vizzard was written primarily for those readers who have a real interest in the politics of gun control. It does not necessarily provide "ammunition" for either side of this complex issue nor do I beleive it was written for that purpose. This Book does however, provide a real insight into the lobbying techniques and political crusades of both sides of gun control and certainly provides the reader with significant background material in a straightforward and factual manner without attempting to present unproven and biased claims for either side. Mr. Vizzard, because of his personal experience, research and education has a totally unique insight into this issue and his well documented dissertatin allows the reader to examine all aspects of the successes and failures of gun control in this Nation.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gun control politics, October 13, 2000

By 

Gerald C. Benedict - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shots in the Dark (Paperback)

This latest effort of William Vizzard was written primarily for those readers who have a real interest in the history and future of gun control. This book does not necessarily provide "ammunition" for either side of this complx controversy, nor do I believe it was written for that purpose. Real insight is provided into the lobbying techniques & political crusades of both sides and gives the reader background material in a strainghtforward & factual manner without presenting biased claims for either side. Mr. Vizzard, because of his personal experiences, research and education has a totally unique insight into both sides of the issue and his well documented dissertation allows the reader to examine the policy, politics and symbolism as the success and failure of past efforts & the future of gun control in this Nation.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good primer on the gun control issue for the open minded., September 2, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shots in the Dark (Paperback)

...This book addresses the real reason that gun control laws "don't work." It also addresses the potential for gun control laws as crime fighting tools. Vizzard does this in a very balanced manner.

Vizzard could have gone more into depth on the topic of gun control, but that would produce a much larger work. The origins of the NFA and why it was created under the taxation power, rather than the commerce clause would be my addition (short answer: pre-SCOTUS rulings on commerce clause). You may have your own personal topic that you would like to see covered in more depth as well.

This is a book you should avoid if you believe that any gun control is the start of the slippery slope toward confiscation. Nothing will change your mind if you have that mind set: you will always quote Lott, Kleck, and the rest of the tired slogans.

On the other hand, This is a book to read if you truly want to keep your guns and keep them away from criminals, children, and other prohibited persons.