Guns Down: How to Defeat the NRA and Build a Safer Future with Fewer Guns

by Igor Volsky

One of Mashable's “17 books every activist should read in 2019”

Twenty years after Columbine, a leading gun control activist offers a radical argument for the gun control movement our country desperately needs

Ninety-six people die from guns in America every single day. Twelve thousand Americans are murdered each year. The United States has more mass shootings, gun suicides, and nonfatal gun injuries than any other industrialized country in the world. Gun-safety advocates have tried to solve these problems with incremental changes such as background checks and banning assault style military weapons. They have fallen short. In order to significantly and permanently reduce gun deaths the United States needs a bold new approach: a drastic reduction of the 390 million guns already in circulation and a new movement dedicated to a future with fewer guns.

In Guns Down, Igor Volsky tells the story of how he took on the NRA just by using his Twitter account, describes how he found common ground with gun enthusiasts after spending two days shooting guns in the desert, and lays out a blueprint for how citizens can push their governments to reduce the number of guns in circulation and make firearms significantly harder to get. An aggressive licensing and registration initiative, federal and state buybacks of millions of guns, and tighter regulation of the gun industry, the gun lobby, and gun sellers will build safer communities for all. Volsky outlines a New Second Amendment Compact developed with policy experts from across the political spectrum, including bold reforms that have succeeded in reducing gun violence worldwide, and offers a road map for achieving transformative change to increase safety in our communities.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Activism

208 pages, Hardcover

Published April 9, 2019

Reviews

[Charles R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, straight-forward read on one path to reducing guns, and thus gun-violence, in America. I don't sense Volsky has any sort of ulterior motive—he, like so many other reasonable Americans, is just sickened by the mass shooting and gun violence epidemic in this country. Rather than tackling a little bit at a time, this is a bold plan. I like that. Yes, practicality and compromise will come in, but at least then you get some real change rather than compromising on something small to begin with. One nitpick here is some of his references are somewhat dated—a couple decades or so. But I understand some research topics may be limited and that's a challenge. Still, I'd love for the new 2nd Amendment Compact, as Volsky puts it, to become reality.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok this was great. I didn't love every line, but I really appreciated how much practical information there was. The vision and the goal are clearly laid out, the data is shown, and background is the cherry on top. I loved the section at the end "how to talk to gun people and win" which bullet-pointed various common arguments and the evidence-backed rebuttals. The NRA chapters were excellent.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the consolidation of statistics into a well written history lesson of how the United States got into the current tragic culture of over-whelming gun violence per capita. Igor explains how US gun violence compares to other countries, how Australia over came what was considered to be a similar gun loving trend and how we might unite to create a society with fewer guns.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have more guns in the United States than people. Americans make up 5 percent of the world's people, but we own nearly have the civilian owned guns in the world. More Americans have died in the last fifty years than in all the wars in American history. We are 56 percent more likely to die from a gunshot than from a traffic accident and 128 times more likely to die in a domestic gun assault than in an international terrorist incident.

The gun lobby has no interest in protecting our constitutional rights . They are focused on helping gun manufactures make and sell more guns.

The reduction of gun ownership has lowered gun violence throughout the world wherever it has been tried.

"If you search the phrase the right to bear arms in the Congressional record you will not find a single mention outside of the context of the military."

"Under Australia's National Firearms agreement all firearms had to be registered , semiautomatic weapons were banned and all who bought a firearm had to apply for a license. The government required individuals to surrender all guns that were illegal and offered full market value for them. The buyback led to a drop in suicide rates by 80 percent."

[Roger Smitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volsky launches the book with a description of the people who are totally engaged in preventing any laws that would limit the ownership of guns. It makes it clear that he isn’t attacking gun enthusiasts. His concern is those who link gun ownership with their identity and purse for living. He gives us a reason and a way to handle the growing number of people who are getting (and often hiding) guns on the premise that everyone should have access to guns.

The label on each chapter clearly and simply gives a reason to have rules about guns. For example: Guns Kill Young People, The Founding Fathers (didn’t want everyone to have a gun) and How I Became a Fewer-Guns Activist.

He also uses many of the reasons we will hear from others about the dangers of open access to guns. For example, the US have half of all the words in the world. He says,
“Safety from gun violence is a basic human need, and we must delight and implement a plan to achieve it.” (pp. 3-4)

He shows the data that shows that guns kill people of color, women, and children in huge numbers. One chapter has a title of “The Founding Fathers Wanted a Country with Few Guns”

The middle of this relatively short book also focuses on the National Rifle Association (NRA), with a focus on 1994 mid-term elections that brought many pro-guns people to Congress. He has a short reference to the rise of Trump as President but makes it clear that the problem he addresses is not anchored in one president.

His opponent is associations that work to keep the people in the Congress to voting for any attempts to limit the use of guns.

The last third of the book provides a good list of information and data that will make sense to some people. He makes it clear that the argument is a difficult one.

The book ends with good material and strategies to advocate for the control of guns. The chapters are short and powerful The last piece of the book “How to Gun With Gun Peop0le and Win.” His goal goes beyond spreading information. He wants to significantly limit the ownership of guns.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written book. Most books about gun violence focus mostly on facts. Which of themselves are scary and you would think would warrant enough for change. For example, Igor quotes from the Brady Center “states with higher levels of gun ownership have gun murder rates up to 114 percent higher than states with low levels of gun ownership.” The problem with listing out a bullet point list of facts though is that many people will do one of three things. First they will claim that the number is biased in some sort of way. Second they will tell themselves that may be the case but it won’t happen to me. Or third they will try to counteract the point with some other arbitrary opinion as a fact about guns. What Igor does here is use these facts to craft a coherent and meaningful set of talking points and proposals that I believe will convert a few people from both sides of the aisle to rethink their positions on guns. He does not advocate for banning all guns. In fact I was surprised at how many guns he was ok with still being in circulation including semi automatic weapons. However he also does not propose a free for all on any type of gun that can be manufactured. In the end I am fully on board with the second amendment compact to limit the amount of guns that are available to people in this country. I recommend both sides of the aisle to give this book a read with an open mind and let’s give these ideas a chance. Far too many people have died as a result of easy access to guns and it is time for a change.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Halfway through the book, you get the idea and the rest becomes redundant: gun lobbies continuously inject guns into society like a virus that can't stop killing people.

COVID-19 starts paling in comparison to the violence and mortality that guns have posed to this country. The NRA and special interest groups like it are killing our society.

They send mass killing machines and then shrug their shoulders when people get senselessly killed and injured.

I give this book a 3/5 stars. It’s comprehensible and interesting to read, but the references could use some updating. The writing is overwhelmed by a too-large volume of statistics meant to impress upon the reader that Volsky has done their research, but not so much to prove any point they have made.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in discovering solutions to the gun violence epidemic in the US. This book is sure to light a fire in you.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I would like this book instantly. It's clearly written. It has lots of statistics. It's proposed compact is just what I think our country needs. Fewer guns. A rrational and measurable way to reduce them and to help make sure those that remain in the hands of the citizenry are hands which are well trained to operate said weapons.

Do I think this book would come close at convincing individuals who have a belief or desire to keep their weapons? Heck no. But since I'm of the belief that BASICALLY no one needs a gun, it was a good book to read.

I like to believe we will get there someday and live in a more peaceful and less violent country. I wonder if I will live to see the day.

[Melissa Laidman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re feeling confused, or overwhelmed by all the arguments in the gun debate, read this book. If you are mad and want a plan for change in America, read this book. I felt both angry and relieved at reading this book. The NRA is so scary, but the majority of US citizens do not want what the NRA wants. I loved that the last chapter was called “We Will Win.” Also, don’t miss the Appendix: How to Talk To Gun People and Win.

[Jayne Winterkorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Igor Volsky must have the NRA shaking in their boots. In this call-out of the gun industry he outlines a strict but obvious approach to gun reform, and the lofty but necessary plan to eliminate gun violence for good. It's a quick read, but jam packed with information. A+ 10/10 heart emoji

[Michael Quigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great. I wish there were more consistency in citations when providing data or making certain claims, but its a needed statement against huge pro-gun lobbies and makes a coherent and attainable list of arguments as to why anti-gun activism needs to step up its game.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on how to have safer communities through fewer guns but not a totally banning of them.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend it!
It should be required reading for all elected official ranging from local to federal.

[Michelle Olms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Igor makes some great points as to why we need less guns in America. As a gun owner, I expected this book to just anger me but I was surprised at how valid a lot of his reasonings are.

[Jared Hocking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great inclusion of facts that make gun advocacy incomprehensible. A little bit short on how to accomplish the strategies outlined. Guns are lunacy.

[Mousa Musallam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really well researched and it definitely makes the case for gun control. Also talks about the NRA and you can be a gun fanatic and support gun control

[Seth Friedman]

Mass shootings are fake and it's easy to prove. CVHOAX COM

[Avery · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly written and confusing the author gets lost in what ifs and random stores over writing a real book.

[Lottie C · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

an important contribution to the debate on gun laws in the US

[Carla (literary.infatuation) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. Not a scientific study into gun violence, but a fact-based persuasive essay on a way to move ahead with fewer guns. I particularly enjoyed learning about the history of the NRA, and find consolation in their not-so-radical beginnings.

[Jeff Moles · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing new. Just the same old emotional arguments.

Just emotional drivel that presents the same old disproven anti-gun stances. The "evil" NRA. The NRA is the oldest civil rights organization in America. The NRA has never killed anyone. It is a membership of like minded individuals fighting for their constitutional rights. Everything here is just the same old fear mongering.

Government buy back. More tax dollars to disarm law abiding people and zero how to disarm criminals. On and on the emotion rolls. An angry author with nothing new to bring to the table. Wasted my time and money.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volsky engages the reader by discussing gun inflicted deaths and how politicians are influenced by deep pocket money such as the NRA. There were various aspects discussed that enlightened me of gu ownership and the inability of the government to track the purchase or ownership of guns due to legislation and court rulings. Ways to implement gun control through licensing, registration, waiting periods, education were discussed as well as uniting advocates for gun control.
I tlhought it presented ideas that would help reduce gun violence and yet preserve gun ownership for citizens that wish to own them.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is deeply committed to stopping gun violence and managing the purchase of guns.