alpert@tramp.Colorado.EDU (ALPERT ETHAN BENJAMIN) (05/25/91)
I recently decided to purchased a gun and am receiving some flack from some of my friends and I would realy appreciate some help finding references to use I support of my decision. I am not interested in NRA literature mainly because they are a little too right wing to succesfully influence my group of pacifist friends. I am interested in references to accident rates and fatalities of gun owners. Particularly, Is a gun owner more likely to be injured by a gun than a non gun owner? Secondly, I am interested in studies of violence in societies which do not allow their citizenry to own guns. I am also interested in finding out about gun free societies (other than England). Although, these issues will not sway my decision I feel that I need to go in to my next discussion/argument about guns with both guns blazing :) My decison is a purely political one. In the early 1900's most of my extended family on my fathers side were killed in pogroms in the Ukraine and my mothers side was taken care of 25 years later by the Nazi's. I honestly believe that the only thing keeping us more or less free in this country is the fact that 3 out of 5 americans own guns. I believe we would be in big trouble if only police were allowed to own guns. Does anyone else feel this way? A great deal of ideological training goes in to police training and it is completely feasible for police to over step their bounds ( LA for example ) and use subversive tactics to force submission of the population. Although examples of this are hard to find here in this country it is common practice in countries where we (the USA) train the police forces and we operate post-imperialist colonies. Although owning a gun won't solve the worlds problems I am comforted by the idea that the Nazi who comes to take my family will have a bit of a problem. It is only a mater of time that the tactics employed in fighting comunism come home. Comments and reference will be much appreciated, -ethan alpert If anyone is interested in some articles about US "counter-insergentcy" traing in foreign countries I be happy to mail the references.
hale@UCSD.EDU (Bob Hale) (05/30/91)
In article <34883@mimsy.umd.edu> alpert@tramp.Colorado.EDU (ALPERT ETHAN BENJAMIN) writes:
#
#I recently decided to purchased a gun and am receiving some flack from some of
#my friends and I would realy appreciate some help finding references to use
#I support of my decision.
Here's a partial bibliography of some of the things I've read that may
be useful to you. I'm posting it here because I suspect that there is
general interest in the subject.
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In the Gravest Extreme: The Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection
Massad F. Ayoob
Police Bookshelf, 1980, 130 pp.
ISBN 0-936297-00-1
Ayoob, an ex police officer, writes about lethal force, the law,
women and guns, concealed carry, gun safety, what happens after
a shooting, and much more. In his introduction he says, "And,
in truth, the firearm is the only really effective means of defense
against vicious, homicidal assault." Recommended reading for anyone
who has ever considered having or using a gun for defense.
The Semiautomatic Pistol in Police Service and Self-defense
Massad F. Ayoob
Police Bookshelf, 1987, 143 pp.
ISBN 0-936279-07-9
Primarily discusses the pros and cons of the semi-automatic pistol
when used for defense. Contrasts the semi-auto to revolvers.
Discusses equipment, operation, and tactics. Of interest to those
who carry firearms either concealed or openly.
The Truth About Self Protection
Massad F. Ayoob
Bantam Books, 1983, 417 pp.
ISBN 0-553-19519-0
As the title suggests, this book is a discussion of methods of
self-defense ranging from burglar alarms to dogs to knives and
guns, as well as much that lies in between. Ayoob shows the reader
how to choose for him or her self the most appropriate devices and
methods. He also explains what happens after a confrontation.
*Highly recommended*
The Great American Gun War
B. Bruce-Briggs
National Shooting Sports Foundation, 1976, 26 pp.
This booklet is reprinted from "The Public Interest", Number 45,
Fall 1976. It is a brief unbiased look at the gun control issue -
topics include the prevalence of firearms, interdiction, existing
gun control, international experience, the Second Amendment, and
more.
Gun Rights Fact Book
Alan M. Gottlieb
Merril Press, 1989, 168 pp.
ISBN 0-936783-03-6
Alan Gottlieb, a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights,
discusses public relations, the Constitution, gun control, media
bias, self defense, women's rights, and more. In an appendix he
lists and debunks seven popular myths relating to gun control.
The Gun Grabbers
Alan M. Gottlieb
Merril Press, 1988, 157 pp.
ISBN 0-936783-00-1
This book gives a brief history of the gun control movement and
the people involved in it. Primarily, the book is a long list
of people and organizations which have supported the gun control
movement, usually by funding it. A good list of people and
organizations to boycott.
That Every Man Be Armed
Stephen P. Halbrook
LibertyTree Press, 1984, 265 pp.
ISBN 0-945999-24-0
An examination of the roots and origins of the Constitutional
right to keep and bear arms. Somewhat dry reading. Worthwhile
knowledge when you are debating someone who doesn't believe in
RKBA.
The Federalist Papers
Hamilton, Madison, Jay
New American Library, 1961, 550 pp.
Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 61-10757
A collection of papers written by some of the Founding Fathers
to sell the concept of the United States and the Constitution to
the people at large. Several of the papers discuss the need and
desirability of an armed population separate and independent of
a government force.
Firearms and Violence
Don B. Kates, Jr.
Pacific Institute for Public Policy Research, 1984, 571 pp.
ISBN 0-88410-929-1
In a collection of papers by various authors, Kates assembles a
strong case that firearms serve to limit violence in our society
and do not cause the violence. Long, and technical in places, but
*Highly recommended*.
Guns, Murders, and the Constitution
Don B. Kates, Jr.
Pacific Research Institute, 1990, 64 pp.
(no identifying numbers)
This paper is a policy briefing. After studying the gun control
and crime control issues, Kates proposes seven gun control policies
which would help to control crime. Kates demonstrates the positive
value of gun ownership in reducing crime and generally debunks a
number of popular myths regarding gun control.
NRA Firearms Fact Book
NRA, 1989, 318 pp.
ISBN 0-935998-55-1
While not containing any material directly related to the gun control
or crime control issues, this book does contain some legal and safety
information that could be useful in debates. The book also contains
lots of information of direct interest to the shooter - general
reference info, collecting info, computers, shotguns, rifles,
handguns, ballistics, a good glossary, and more.
The Gun Control Debate - You Decide
Lee Nisbet
Prometheus Books, 1990, 341 pp.
ISBN 0-87975-618-7
A collection of papers designed to present both sides of the gun
control controversy and to let the reader decide the merits of each
side's case. Apparently unbiased. Some idea of the contents of
this book can be obtained from this sentence in the introduction:
"That the fate of these [assault] weapons can be discussed with such
fervor in the popular media and on the floor of Congress in the
absence of data is a phenomenon that will be fully understood by
those who complete this volume."
The Gun Culture and Its Enemies
William R. Tonso
Merril Press, 1990, 238 pp.
ISBN 0-936783-05-2
A collection of papers that study the "gun culture" and its conflict
with its opponents. The papers were written by people knowledgeable
about guns and therefore the book tends to be pro-gun. A couple of
the papers are by Canadian authors - this gives a broader viewpoint
on the subject.
Armed & Female
Paxton Quigley
St. Martin's Paperbacks, 1989, 283 pp.
ISBN 0-312-92332-5
A book written for women in modern society. The author is a converted
gun control advocate who helped to found the National Committee for
Handgun Control but is now a strong believer in RKBA especially as
it pertains to self defense. The book speaks of rape, lethal defense,
ethics, law, futile defenses, children and guns, tactics, and more.
Although written for women it should be read by men as well.
*Highly recommended*
Police Bookshelf is located at P.O. Box 122, Concord, NH 03302-0122.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is located at 1075 Post Road,
Riverside, Connecticut 06878.
The Pacific Institute for Public Policy Research is located at
177 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94108.
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Hope this helps.
Bob Hale ...!ucsd!btree!hale
619-535-3234 ...!btree!hale@ucsd.edu