Point Blank: Guns and Violence in America (Social Institutions and Social Change) (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Kleck assesses the evidence, adduced with the tools of social science, on the issues of gun control and gun ownership - ideology, politics, and propaganda, as well as data on who owns guns, how they acquire them, and why; the effects of guns on violence - self-defense, violent crime, suicide, accidents; regulation - types, public opinion, impact on violence rates; and policy lessons. His findings indicate that guns do contribute to violence, but in complex ways that are not acknowledged by either activists or academics. From the mass of evidence, he draws informed recommendations for a national policy." - Book News, Inc." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description

There is little doubt that gun violence and control are issues of vital importance, and they continue to inspire national debate. It is doubtful, however, whether most gun debates are worth listening to. Not surprisingly, such debates generally leave their participants exactly where they began, with their biases intact, and onlookers perplexed. Written deliberately to counter an atmosphere of hysteria and extremism, Point Blank, now in paperback, offers logical argument supported by empirical information. It confronts fundamental questions head-on.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Aldine Transaction (December 31, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0202304191
• ISBN-13: 978-0202304199
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,057,610 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A former gun-phobe, December 10, 1998

By	Zonie ([e-mail]) (Arizona) - See all my reviews

What is striking is that Prof. Kleck actually began this series of studies to "prove" that guns in the hands of citizens doesn't reduce crime. Ya see, Kleck is a liberal Democrat. He is a member of the ACLU, Common Cause, Amnesty International and supports the typical liberal agendas. When he got done crunching the data he found results that shocked him. At a minimum, Americans use firearms 2.5 million times per year in direct, face to face defenses. And that is Kleck's admittedly conservative estimate. Additionally, only 1% of the time is the thug shot, and only 0.1% of all encountered thugs are killed. Remarkable restraint, I'd say. Good people just left alone.

The bad news, Kleck received far fewer invitations to Florida State University cocktail parties. The good news, He won the Hindelang Award for the most significant work by a criminologist (in a whole bunch of years).

I would suggest that most people who would consider buying "Point Blank" would be happier getting Klecks collaboration with Prof. Don Kates titled, "The Great Gun Debate." It covers the same issues in a more digestible, less academic manner, and should be about half the price.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't debate gun control without first reading this book., June 27, 1998

By A Customer

A rigorous and dispassionate statistical examination of a topic more often distinguished by emotion than reason, Mr Kleck has created a book that everyone interested in the suject of gun control should read, and which every second amendment advocate should own.<P>This comprehensive study starts with an examination of the ideological nature of arguement on the subject, and thoroughly examines the nature of gun ownership and use in the United States.<P>Supporters of gun control have tried and failed to impugn the integrity of the author, who owes allegiance to no vested interest, and who reached his conclusuion that gun ownership has a more positive than negative effect on society in spite of his own early leanings.<P>Thoroughly documented, Point Blank is a required reference book for anyone with the courage to set personal bias aside, and search for the truth.