Guns, Crime, and Freedom

by Wayne R. LaPierre, Wayne R. LaPierre

Argues that restrictions on gun ownership will not prevent crime, defends the right to bear arms, and recommends other policies that might be more effective against crime than gun control

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Law, Political Science, Crime, American

263 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Mark Geise · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Guns, Crime, and Freedom" is a quick and informative read that should be required reading for anyone trying to formulate an opinion on the always-raging gun debate in the United States. LaPierre has done a good job to collect the relevant data and anecdotes to support this hypothesis: gun rights are a net positive for American society and more punitive gun control laws aid criminals while impeding law-abiding citizens.

To me, this book is split into two main parts, one discussing the history of the gun rights and current (as of the time of this book's publishing) efforts to curb gun rights and then another discussing crime trends. The first half of the book is more convincing because LaPierre tends to start with the data and the mix in more anecdotal and emotional arguments. The second half, when discussing crime and imprisonment trends, contains a reverse of that pattern and primarily tries to shock rather than inform the reader. I generally agree with LaPierre's points, but too many calls to emotion keep this book from being 5 out of 5 stars for me. There also is a final chapter outside of these two parts that outlines some solutions to improve our criminal justice system; I found this chapter to be interesting and informative.

LaPierre's general thesis is that more punitive gun control laws have weakened law-abiding citizens in attempts to defend themselves, their families, and their property from criminals, who rarely follow gun control laws. As the criminal justice system has made it more difficult to convict and keep in prison violent criminals, guns are one of the few equalizing forces that allow honest citizens to keep from becoming victims. "Punishment" has become a dirty word when discussing criminal justic, but some criminals are simply beyond reform and need to be imprisoned for the benefit of society. LaPierre also discusses our lax treatment of juvenile criminals; juvenile criminals are committing violent crimes at significantly higher rates than they did when these lax rules were instituted, and it is easy to make a case that juveniles have responded to less onerous punishment by committing crimes that they otherwise would not have committed. LaPierre says that it would be a wise investment to spend the money to build more prisons for those that he believes should be more harshly punished than they are currently (repeat violent offenders). He says that those that do not support increased prison expenditures are near-sighted. He misses an important component of the argument, though: we have huge numbers of nonviolent offenders locked up in our prisons, many under mandatory minimum sentences. We can relax punishments on these nonviolent offenders (preferably by legalizing at least some classes of drugs) and have the space and resources to lock up long-term the repeat violent criminals about which LaPierre writes.

I believe that the gun discussion is as necessary now as it ever has been. The Founding Fathers knew that this right to arm oneself is central to liberty. Contrary to what some may believe, we are not in a new era where oppressive governments are no longer. Gun control has not proven to reduce crime or to reduce violence. Even if we could not point to data that shows the benefits of gun ownership, it would be moot. This is a constitutional guarantee that cannot be infringed unless the Constitution is amended, which is an amendment that would never be ratified. Banning guns is a purely symbolic "solution" that does not solve any of the real problems we face.

[Hugh Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone agrees that this country has a problem with crime. Many criminals use guns to commit crimes, but the most effective counter to them is enforcement of the laws already in existence. New laws restricting guns will only disarm the law-abiding population. Wayne LaPierre makes this case in the mid-1990s, hence his many references to the Clinton Adminstration, Waco and Ruby Ridge.
In fact, opposition to gun control is only a fraction of the mission of the NRA. In addition, the NRA promotes gun safety through classes and programs, and advocates tough sentences for violent criminals. The Second Amendment protects the individuals' rights to bear arms because at that time a militia was composed of the local men and their privately-owned firearms.
In a nutshell, even if we would all love to have the entire population disarmed, we the free citizens must insist that criminals disarm first. Until they do, we must harbor firearms for our own protection. The book is scholarly enough and quite thorough in its discussion of the relevant issues. It changed my wife's mind entirely.

[Farrah · Rating 3 out of 5]

They say to read about topics arguing an opposing view to your belief system, so i gave this a whirl. My bf is a staunch 2nd amendment advocate and I wanted to know what it was all about. I learned a few things about language manipulation, how anti-gun people pick apart verbiage in the 2nd Amendment which is ignored in all other parts of the Constitution. Besides that, it's the same touting I hear from my partner. It makes sense FOR THEM and I respect that, but what every single pro-gun advocate doesn't get is that this is all about school shootings. If all people did with guns was protect their homes, go skeet shooting or even hunting nobody would care. Keep your damn guns. But this has gotten bigger than that, and until we can talk about Kevin (ie raise better humans in our fucked up society), there will always be anti-gun people like me telling you to stick the Second Amendment up a Founding Father's asshole.

[Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! Sadly the constant anti-gun rhetoric loudly clamors itself to the masses and true, fact based writing such as this don't get out to correct sure errors. Books such as this need to be sent to our elected officials with hopes that one, they read them, and two, act on them

[Grump · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically the complete opposite of The New Jim Crow. I agree with whiny Wayne that sentences for violent offenders should stronger but I just don’t seem to live in the predator-filled world he describes. But we should definitely be able to shoot people who break into our houses. That would be rad.

[Damon Thueson · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having many discussions with family and friends about the treachery of the Gov't and the gun-haters, Wayne put it all into perspective and backed it up with serious references of proof. This book was so well written, I am amazed that I only came across it this year. The deception of the anti-gun, anti-freedom mongers out there should be completely ashamed of themselves. Thanks to people like Wayne LaPierre, we have a large group fighting for the God-Given right to protect ourselves. Everyone should read this book and put to rest the misconceptions and falsities of the "Liberals" who claim to want better protection, while lying to the world about their lust for power and control. Living in a fantasy world never gets you anywhere. If you want to put to rest any doubts about the argument of the 2nd Amendment, then this is the book for you. If you don't, then it will only demonstrate your ignorant viewpoints and natural disdain for rights you use to argue at all. Thanks Wayne, you da Man!

[Heather Murphy]

My husband is passionate about guns. It seems that his political views are mainly based on gun rights (which candidate will promote it). He has his permit to carry a gun. He and I were discussing a subject he brought up the other day that a society where everyone carries a gun is a polite society. This was hard for me to be open-minded about because I’ve been very scared of guns my whole life (I wouldn’t even allow them in our house until I finally gave in 2 years ago). I'm a really peace advocate and guns represent danger and killing to me. My friend shot himself in the forehead when I was growing up because he was depressed one day and a gun was handy. He lived and is blind and looks really wierd (but thinks normally). My husband is careful with his guns and keeps them locked up. In an attempt to curb my fears and share this passion somewhat (at least so I can open-mindededly listen to his thoughts and feelings better), I am going to get this book and read it with him.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a second-admendment sympathist myself so take my words with a grain of salt, especially if you are a gun control sympathist, but I thought it is a great discussion on why the second admendment is still valid today.

[James Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel this book gathered into one place a lot of pertinent information that any constitutionalist should know regarding the attempts of our leaders to remove or dilute our God-given rights to protect ourselves, and our property.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the book is a bit dated now, it still provides a great deal of history on our Second Amendment and helps explain the importance of a well armed society. It also provides some great talking points to use if you are confronted with some misguided fool who supports gun control.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written during the Clinton administration when the term "Assault Weapon" became the favorite label of gun control freaks for all "scary" looking guns. They haven't given up on taking American citzens right to arm themselves against an oppressive, totalitarian government and they never will.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this book as a present from my son (who didn't really know what it was about) so I read it. It was dated and not even a little balanced, but it was interesting to hear a perspective I hadn't heard much of before.

[Tripp]

Signed

[Victoria Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

truthful excellent read for anyone interested in personal right to bear arms

[Jamees]

Don't remember when I read this. This is packed with lots of details. With the gun debate, I sometimes question the findings though.

[Acie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.eye opener