10/14/16

Confronting Gun Violence in America

© SpringerThomas Gabor
14 October 2016
$30 | £22 | Hardcover | 978-3-319-33722-7


As the recent spate of gun violence episodes in the United States has reminded us, there is an enormous gap in gun-related mortality between the United States – the country with the largest stock of privately owned firearms in the world – and other high-income countries. This book critically examines the link between guns and violence and suggests a bold national strategy to reduce gun violence in the United States.

Criminologist and international consultant Thomas Gabor has been conducting research on the firearms-violence issue for 25 years, and in this book he presents the most current data and trends on gun violence and mass shootings, including the recent attacks in Orlando and Dallas.

Confronting Gun Violence in America explores solutions to the gun violence problem in America, a country where 90 people die from gunshot wounds every day. Gabor examines the link between gun ownership and homicide, suicide, and unintentional death, and sets out a national gun violence prevention strategy that is supported by the scientific evidence currently available. He addresses the most burning questions in the current gun violence debate, such as:

  • Are mass shootings increasing and are they becoming more lethal?
  • Does widespread gun ownership contribute to police shootings of citizens and the shooting of officers?
  • Do guns in the home make us safer?
  • Does the presence of guns make a difference in the outcome of an attack or suicide attempt?
  • How often are guns used in self-defence?
  • Do states with more gun owners have more or fewer gun deaths than states with fewer gun owners?
  • Do some existing gun laws prevent gun violence?

This book weighs the value of guns for self-protection against the adverse effects of gun ownership and carrying. It also analyzes the role of public opinion, the Second Amendment to the US Constitution, and the firearms industry and lobby in impeding efforts to prevent gun violence. Gabor draws all of these facets together to offer a comprehensive series of measures – including a national licensing system, enhanced technology in gun design, and a ban on military-style weapons – which could finally address the critical issue of gun violence in America.

 

“This book skillfully demolishes, through solid research, the hollowness of the claims of the NRA." —Linda Geller-Schwartz, Florida State Policy Advocate, National Council of Jewish Women

“This book will probably scare you, and even more so the National Rifle Association. Tom Gabor leaves no argument for unrestrained gun ownership unchallenged. It is a monumental and very readable work of research and journalism that arms the citizenry with the information to combat the scourge of gun violence in the US.” —Maurice Murad, Former producer for CBS’ 60 Minutes

“Gabor's latest book represents a timely and significant contribution to debate over one of the most pressing problems confronting the US — firearm death and injury. The work is comprehensive in scope and sound in its recommendations. It should be mandatory reading for all state and federal legislators with an interest in gun policy.” —Julian V. Roberts, University of Oxford, Centre for Criminology

“5 stars! This short, readable book provides an excellent up-to-date summary of the scientific literature on gun violence in America, ending with a policy prescription for what should be done to address the problem and why it will work. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to be knowledgeable about gun issues.” —David Hemenway, Director, Harvard Injury Control Research Center

“Australians have had no gun massacres in the 20 years after gun law reform. US gun mayhem is jaw-dropping and so preventable. Tom Gabor’s 10,000 watt arc lights show us how.” —Simon Chapman AO, Emeritus Professor of Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia

 

-ENDS-

 

About the Author

Thomas Gabor is an international consultant based in Florida, USA. He was formerly a Professor of Criminology at the University of Ottawa, Canada. He has published over 150 works, testified in front of Parliamentary committees, and served as a consultant and expert witness on behalf of many international and governmental agencies.

Find out more about the book on its website:
http://confrontinggunviolenceinamerica.com/


For more information or to get in touch with the author please contact:
Rebecca Krahenbuhl – Communications Manager, Palgrave Macmillan
rebecca.krahenbuhl@palgrave.com, +44 0207 014 6634