Under Fire: The Nra and the Battle for Gun Control [Paperback]

Osha Gray Davidson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0877456461 | ISBN-13: 978-0877456469 | Publication Date: September 1, 1998 | Edition: REV

Originally published in 1993, Under Fire was widely hailed as the first objective examination of the NRA and its efforts to defeat gun control legislation. Now in this expanded edition, Osha Gray Davidson shows how the NRA's extremism has cost the organization both political power and popular support. He offers a well-reasoned and workable approach to gun control, one that will find many supporters even among the NRA membership.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Neither an expose nor a polemic, this book bogs down in description while stinting on hard analysis. Davidson ( Broken Heartland: The Rise of America's Rural Ghetto ) intersperses several set pieces--on the 1988 schoolyard massacre in Stockton, Calif., the 1986 congressional debate over the McClure-Volkmer Bill and the workings of a Washington, D.C., emergency room--with a fair-minded history of the National Rifle Association. Davidson looks critically at some of the NRA's broad-brush critics, suggesting that neither side gives "any credence to the claims of the other." He observes that the NRA is "neither the Evil Empire its foes claim nor the superpatriotic defender of the most cherished American values it claims to be." But only in the epilogue does he address important policy questions (such as the role of handguns in self-defense) and sociological analysis (such as of the urban-rural cultural roots of the gun control debate). His conclusion that the epidemic of gun violence must be addressed demands a more rigorous foundation.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This detailed history of that politically powerful and often feared lobby, the National Rifle Association (NRA), examines the organization's current troubles and its declining influence with elected officials and leadership in the police community. The publisher claims that the book is "nonpartisan" but also provides a statement of praise from gun control advocate Sarah Brady. Davison has carefully researched his topic. His book is journalistic in style yet compares favorably with the best on this subject, such as James D. Wright and Peter H. Rossi's Armed and Considered Dangerous (Aldine de Gruyter, 1986) and Franklin Zimring and Gordon Hawkins's The Citizen's Guide to Gun Control ( LJ 7/87). Davidson's study brings the debate up to date. Highly recommended for any collection that has either of the aforementioned books.
- John Broderick, Stonehill Coll., North Easton, Mass.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: University Of Iowa Press; REV edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877456461
• ISBN-13: 978-0877456469
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,430,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very informative book, March 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Under Fire: The Nra and the Battle for Gun Control (Paperback)

This is a must-read if you really want to become truly informed about the NRA. A statement near the end of the book clearly reveals the thesis of the author. The author says something like "The NRA is not the evil empire that its enemies claim but neither is it a super patriotic defender of the constitution." The author goes on to explain that the NRA is simply a special interest group. The NRA's understanding of the second amendment is flawed. If gun-control is really unconstitutional then why are there so many gun-control laws in some areas of the US? No court has ruled those laws unconstitutional. The NRA has often tried to demonize those who support sensible and moderate levels of gun-control. Instead of addressing the issue logically, the NRA is content to resort to personal attacks and name calling by referring to such people as communists and comparing them to Hitler.

On the other hand, the book tells of how the NRA was right about cop killer bullets and plastic guns. A ban on all types of armor piercing bullets would have included many types of hunting and sporting ammunition. Plastics guns that can fire real bullets is a myth. A ban on such weapons is unnecessary. So if you are looking for a book that tells it all, then read this book.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Complete Evolution And History Of The NRA, May 29, 2000

By 

August J. Chiausa "augiec" (Hyattsville, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under Fire: The Nra and the Battle for Gun Control (Paperback)

Gray does a masterful job in documenting the founding of the NRA, as a quasigovernmental organization through the powerful lobbying organization it is today. It presents the story without any particular bias, exposing the infights and its hot and cold relationship with law enforcement.

The documentation of the Cincinnati Revolt of 1977, which brought Harlon Carter to power, thus giving the association its John Birch veneer, is unique. It was interesting to note that "jackbooted thugs" was a long-standing staple of the organization.

The story of the obstructionism, disguised as cooperation, in the Bush decision to ban imports of certain assault rifles shows exactly how powerful this group has become. The exposure of tactics such as smears of law enforcement officers, who had the audacity to enforce gun control laws, shows why this is an organization to be feared, and perhaps countered. The deceitful practices of fudging their membership roles, and framing the public debate to regulation equates to confiscation, through historical misrepresentation, is enough to give one a jaundiced ear to anything the organization says.

Gray doesn't hold back in his similar exposure of the proregulationers either. His description of the evolution of the "green apple" to become known as the "cop killer" is a case in point.

All in all, an excellent book, which fills a critical niche in the gun control debate, and it's confluence with contemporary politics.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars sincere and unintentionally honest, though deeply flawed, March 21, 2000

By 

jond123 "jond123" (Some Old Disco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under Fire: The Nra and the Battle for Gun Control (Paperback)

the subtitle, "... and the battle for gun control" pretty well states the author's bias. even so, he attempts to be fair and on occasion unintentionally provides flashes of insight. for example, he states that n.y.c.'s 'sullivan law' was passed because of fear of immigrants, and further says that that is an example of the sort of tactical position you should take to advance gun control if it will be effective. (similar to 'the racist roots ...')

in the chapter on the inner city, he documents that 'all' 'gun violence' is related to the drug trade, in other words, the fallout from prohibition.

the broad history of the nra is somewhat useful for tracing the left's deep-seated hostility towards the right to keep and bear arms. the nra grew out of the national guard movements that, after the civil war, were called upon to defend industries against union organizers.

like a loaded gun, this book is a useful tool in the hands of someone who knows how to use it;-)