From Booklist
Carter, professor of sociology at Columbia University and author of several books, including The Gun Control Movement (Twayne, 1997), has pulled together a fine group of 82 contributors for this title on the legal and social aspects of guns in America. The set represents an attempt to bring together research on all sides of an often murky and divisive issue. Designed for "researchers, teachers, students, public officials, law-enforcement personnel, journalists, and members of the general public," its purpose is to help the reader "become educated enough on any particular aspect of the gun issue to make an informed decision."Entries cover a variety of information and present a wide spectrum of opinions. Biographical entries treat legal scholars on the Second Amendment, political leaders, and prominent social activists from all sides. Court cases that featured Second Amendment interpretations are described and feature summations of the pertinent issues. Historical articles, such as Boomtowns, cowtowns, and gun violence and Vigilantism, give a social context to the interaction between American culture and guns. Other articles focus on various gun makes, bullet types, and recent events, such as the Waco, Texas, raid and Columbine High School tragedy, that have driven discussion of gun policy.Appendixes cover federal laws that have had an impact on the Second Amendment, state gun law, and organizations participating in pro-gun-control and pro-gun-rights activities. Brief entry-specific bibliographies and an extensive selected bibliography will facilitate further research for advanced students or interested citizens. A welcome resource on a topic that will continue to be debated for many years to come, this set is recommended for academic and public libraries. RBB
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FROM THE PUBLISHER

What lies behind our 200-year-old fascination with firearms and our ambivalence toward gun control? Our gun laws are among the weakest in the developed world, and any attempt to regulate gun ownership is met with formidable resistance. Guns in American Society provides a comprehensive, unbiased look at the controversial issue of guns and gun violence in the United States. In the only major reference on the subject that is not decidedly pro- or anti-gun, the 82 expert contributors probe complex topics. Guns in American Society gets beyond the emotionally charged rhetoric and partisan politics surrounding gun issues to make a clear-eyed examination of the facts about firearms and their impact on American society. With more than 500 entries and 4 data-rich appendixes, it is an essential information source for anyone thinking about guns, no matter where they stand on the issues.

SYNOPSIS

This two-volume set for high school and above examines the issue of guns and gun violence in the U.S. without taking either a pro- or anti-gun stance. The 500-plus alphabetically-arranged entries, approximately one-to-four pages in length, are cross-referenced and provide suggestions for further reading. Among the topics are the causes of violence, various types and uses of guns, and legal rulings and legislation. The book contains some b&w portraits and photographs, many of which depict violent scenes. The appendices present key federal and state gun laws, state constitutional right-to-keep-and- bear-arms provisions, and relevant organizations. Edited by Carter (sociology, Bryant College). Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

Contributed by social scientists, legal experts, members of the ethical and religious communities, and others, this book's 400-plus entries fairly represent the complex issue of firearms use in America. The entries range widely, including many individuals past and present, both in and out of government. A variety of federal and state court cases are covered, as are the ordinances promoted by gun control advocates or opponents, and good background is provided on many issues. For instance, anyone seeking information on sawed-off shotguns, the TEC-DC9 pistol, Saturday-night specials, or the Tommy gun will find not only a helpful definition but also a very brief historical sketch, making this book an excellent starting point for researchers unfamiliar with historical gun terminology. In addition, Carter (The Gun Control Movement) has provided a useful guide for sorting through the many relevant organizations and interest groups, and in this regard the encyclopedia is hard to beat. Unfortunately, it proves less successful in placing guns in cultural and social historical context. For example, while some effort is made to discuss the influence of television on gun violence, it is hard to find much about films in either the pre-TV or TV era. And while there is a separate discussion of guns and African Americans, the same cannot be said of other significant racial or ethnic groups. Approximately half the topics covered here duplicate those in Glenn H. Utter's Encyclopedia of Gun Control and Gun Rights, but this book provides fresh material on most of those entries and much more. Thus, despite its limitations, it should serve as the standard reference on many aspects of guns, gun ownership, and gun control in the United States.-Charles K. Piehl, Minnesota State Univ., Mankato Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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