Gun Control and Gun Rights (Excerpt)

Abstract

The issues of gun control and gun rights are volatile. Exploration of them tends to one-sided and filled with fallacies. (Coauthor previously wrote and published “The Rhetoric of Gun Control, exposing many of the fallacies on both sides of the debate.) “Gun Control and Gun Rights” is the only balanced presentation of gun issues ever to be published. Showcasing viewpoints from all sides of the debate, this comprehensive book includes selections from judicial opinions and a variety of scholarly books and journals, as well as extensive commentary and questions from the authors. Balance was achievable because of the mix of authors, which include one pro-gun control scholar (McClurg) and two pro-gun rights scholars (Kopel and Denning). Each worked hard at keeping the others balanced and honest throughout the writing and editing process. This SSRN excerpt includes the Preface, Table of Contents and first two chapters of the book: “The Benefits of Gun Ownership” and “The Costs of Firearms.” Together, these chapters offer an in-depth societal cost-benefit analysis of the roughly one-quarter billion firearms owned by private citizens in the United States.