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Myths Made in America
"Guns Don't Kill People, People Kill People": And Other Myths About Guns and Gun Control
“A must-read for every American who longs to bring sanity to our nation’s gun laws,” this book debunks the lethal logic behind the myths that have framed the gun control debate (Ariana Huffington, co-founder of HuffingtonPost)The gun lobby’s remarkable success in using engaging slogans to frame the gun control debate has allowed it to block lifesaving gun legislation for decades. But is there any truth to this bumper-sticker logic? Dennis Henigan exposes the mythology and misguided thinking at the core of these pro-gun catchphrases, which continue to have an outsized influence on public attitudes toward guns and gun control. He counters the gun lobby’s messages by weaving together the most compelling current research and insights drawn from the grim reality of deadly gunfire in our homes and communities. Henigan charts a new path toward ending the American nightmare of gun violence.Pro-Gun Myths “When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.”“An armed society is a polite society.”“The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.”“Gun control doesn’t work because criminals don’t follow the law.”“Gun manufacturers shouldn’t be responsible for gun crime, any more than Budweiser is responsible for drunk driving.”“We don’t need new gun laws. We just need to enforce the ones we have.”“Gun control is a slippery slope to complete gun bans.”
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 28, 2016
77 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 6, 2017
There are some bizarre hostile reviews here (one right wing snowflake accuses left wingers of determining what he can and can't eat?), which is odd considering that this book is pretty tame in its evidence and conclusions it draws. The first chapter for instance is about how guns are solely made for killing things and should be treated as weapons and not tools. I don't understand how that is not common sense to many people in this country but alas.
My only criticism is that it is more a list than actual book, but the evidence presented here is definitely valuable. Unless of course you believe that liberals are ruining your lunches in which case there's plenty to whine about.
My only criticism is that it is more a list than actual book, but the evidence presented here is definitely valuable. Unless of course you believe that liberals are ruining your lunches in which case there's plenty to whine about.
July 30, 2016
Denish Henigan, point by point, with numerous sources and citations backing him, demolishes the many pseudo-logical arguments posited by the NRA’s stance against any sort of gun control. He brings to bear studies and papers that have analyzed the complexities of gun violence and unequivocally concludes that states and countries with more guns and weaker gun laws are explicitly correlated with more gun deaths. He debunks commonly accepted myths and propaganda (such as the slippery slope argument) with facts, data and logic. Adding guns to the mix in almost any situation (from violent criminals to suicides to accidents involving children) instantly escalates the potential level of consequential harm and fatality. He points out that gun control advocates are not trying to “take everyone’s guns away” but are simply proposing sensible and moderate measures towards a safer process and policy for all Americans.
July 14, 2016
I am not a member of the NRA, nor am I personally into guns, but I do care about freedom and personal rights. This is a Left-wing argument for the Government to control yet another area our lives. They already control everything from health to food. I am not sure why the word "liberal" is used when describing the Left. They believe that Government, which is made up of people no better than the rest of us, should regulate every "inalienable" right we have from our "Creator". That is really a type of Fascism.
August 9, 2016
I received this book from Goodreads Giveaways.
This book provides an in depth analysis of common blanket statements regarding gun control, including the idea that gun control will lead to guns being outlawed completely or the idea that if guns are controlled, it will mean only outlaws will have access to them.
Dennis Hanigan works to unveil the true purpose and methods that gun control calls for, and pokes holes in the arguments of those who don't support gun control. By using ample statistics and common sense, Henigan leaves behind an argument that stands up well and is difficult to argue against.
The most prevalent weak spot of the book was it's lack of originality. Henigan only discusses the most common myths regarding gun control - myths that any advocate for it has already read and seen disproved numerous times. All things considered, I don't see readers who strongly disapprove of gun control reading this text, which leaves me wondering what purpose it ultimately serves to accomplish.
This book provides an in depth analysis of common blanket statements regarding gun control, including the idea that gun control will lead to guns being outlawed completely or the idea that if guns are controlled, it will mean only outlaws will have access to them.
Dennis Hanigan works to unveil the true purpose and methods that gun control calls for, and pokes holes in the arguments of those who don't support gun control. By using ample statistics and common sense, Henigan leaves behind an argument that stands up well and is difficult to argue against.
The most prevalent weak spot of the book was it's lack of originality. Henigan only discusses the most common myths regarding gun control - myths that any advocate for it has already read and seen disproved numerous times. All things considered, I don't see readers who strongly disapprove of gun control reading this text, which leaves me wondering what purpose it ultimately serves to accomplish.
November 22, 2019
Don’t assume that one side of the gun argument is better without reading both sides this book gives you an understanding of the viewpoint of a pro-gun-control activist. The strongly opinionated book brings up many slogans and quotes that are popular debate topics for conservative people and speakers like to use in debates and on car stickers. The author then debunks or weakens them by citing evidence, studies, polls, and past actions by the NRA.
Overall this book is not a must-read but offers some good points for research. First, throughout the book, you had to double-check some of the facts because they were very outrageous like when the author said that Chicago had a lower murder rate than any city that has high gun ownership like cities in Texas. Second, The book repeated itself a lot throughout most of the chapter which made his line of reasoning very hard to follow. Next, the book doesn’t use any in-depth arguments conservatives use to protect gun rights and use blanket statements like the NRA instead of saying the specific person who said it. Lastly, the author did cite many studies that were helpful in learning more about gun control.
Unless you need to find a book that is pro-gun control I do not recommend reading this book.
Overall this book is not a must-read but offers some good points for research. First, throughout the book, you had to double-check some of the facts because they were very outrageous like when the author said that Chicago had a lower murder rate than any city that has high gun ownership like cities in Texas. Second, The book repeated itself a lot throughout most of the chapter which made his line of reasoning very hard to follow. Next, the book doesn’t use any in-depth arguments conservatives use to protect gun rights and use blanket statements like the NRA instead of saying the specific person who said it. Lastly, the author did cite many studies that were helpful in learning more about gun control.
Unless you need to find a book that is pro-gun control I do not recommend reading this book.
February 23, 2018
So I had seen a lot of this literature individually through classes in school, but it was terrific to read it summarized and collected together into coherent chapters. Thoroughly researched and cited throughout. Great public health analysis of the issue of gun violence.
October 9, 2023
Thought provoking book!
This book gives well thought out arguments against the bumper sticker logic of the NRA's slogans that abounds in public opinion.
This book gives well thought out arguments against the bumper sticker logic of the NRA's slogans that abounds in public opinion.
January 23, 2024
Thought provoking, interesting, frightening, and informative
July 15, 2016
Written by a lawyer and former VP of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, this is an excellent background on the misconceptions, origins, legal history and ideological bastardization of the U.S. 2nd Amendment. Henigan begins by shooting holes in the validity of NRA slogans used by gun advocates. He provides copious references and statistics to make his point. He then follows the legal trail from the early Supreme Court interpretation of the 2nd Amendment and exposes the about face following the ideological majority opinion written by Justice Scalia and the details of that written opinion which leaves the door open for stronger gun controls. It is amazing what the general public misunderstands about this hot button issue.
December 14, 2016
An almost interesting take on the side of gun control. I myself am liberal but see no reason to take away or limit access to firearms. This book just rehashes decades old screams from each side.
This book is really not wortrh the time to read unless you are liberal.
This book is really not wortrh the time to read unless you are liberal.
August 8, 2016
I wanted to read this book because I am a gun control advocate and find the arguments listed in this book constantly quoted by anti gun control advocates to be glib. I was pleased to have received this book for free from a goodreads giveaway.
it is a well researched book, thoughtful and helpful. each myth has it's own chapter which has been thoroughly explored with reference material, statistics and history. this book filled my need to understand how to respond with background information to arguments about gun control. I recommend it.
it is a well researched book, thoughtful and helpful. each myth has it's own chapter which has been thoroughly explored with reference material, statistics and history. this book filled my need to understand how to respond with background information to arguments about gun control. I recommend it.
August 12, 2016
FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it.
September 14, 2016
Pretty good. a little too much detail for the average reader, but still useful and very informative!
April 29, 2017
In debunking the many myths prevalent in the contemporary gun debates Dennis A. Henigan makes far more good points than bad. And unlike some bloated commentary, he does not simply create more bumper stickers, that is a weak and horribly misguided misreading of the book. But alas, some people can only repeat a few cherry-picked items to create an illusion so...
Back to the book, the evidence supports more stringent gun (and bullet) control, which to the knee-jerks (and the just plain jerks) means "they gonna take all my guns!" With very few exceptions that is not what adequate control as debated would do. But they can always use the over-used and, again, weak counter about a slippery slope. These people must live in mountainous ice country to experience so many slippery slopes.
I would recommend this to people on both sides of the debate and those, who are likely the majority, who are in the middle and confused because of the hyperbole from (mostly) the NRA but also the gun control lobby as well. Unfortunately this is one of the topics that find very few venues for actual debate and you usually end up with tangential bluster about mental health (which is certainly a concern but is used as a smoke screen so that, by attacking the mental health profession the debate switches to a different topic) or historical events and debates that only tangentially touch on the topic as it stands today.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via Edelweiss.
Back to the book, the evidence supports more stringent gun (and bullet) control, which to the knee-jerks (and the just plain jerks) means "they gonna take all my guns!" With very few exceptions that is not what adequate control as debated would do. But they can always use the over-used and, again, weak counter about a slippery slope. These people must live in mountainous ice country to experience so many slippery slopes.
I would recommend this to people on both sides of the debate and those, who are likely the majority, who are in the middle and confused because of the hyperbole from (mostly) the NRA but also the gun control lobby as well. Unfortunately this is one of the topics that find very few venues for actual debate and you usually end up with tangential bluster about mental health (which is certainly a concern but is used as a smoke screen so that, by attacking the mental health profession the debate switches to a different topic) or historical events and debates that only tangentially touch on the topic as it stands today.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via Edelweiss.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews