SOLVED. Adult Sci-Fi. Man stumbles on doorway to alternate U.S. timeline where society/gov't is based on the Jeffersonian model rather than the Madisonian model. Everyone is armed and disputes are handled by privately hired arbitors. [s]

[Todd]

Read about 10 years ago, but I don't think it was contemporary at that time. Short novel.

[beichst]

The Probability Broach by L. Neil .Smith

"Denver detective Win Bear, on the trail of a murderer, discovers much more than a killer. He accidentally stumbles upon the probability broach, a portal to a myriad of worlds--some wildly different from, others disconcertingly similar to our own. Win finds himself transported to an alternate Earth where Congress is in Colorado, everyone carries a gun, there are gorillas in the Senate, and public services are controlled by private businesses."

[Todd]

Dead on Brad! Thank you.

[beichst]

YW. Glad I could help. If you do get a chance to re-read it and enjoy it, you might be pleased to know The Probability Broach s the first book in what is called the NAC (North American Confederacy) series by the same author.

[Kris]

Glad you found your book, Todd.

The Probability Broach (book 1) of the North American Confederacy series by L. Neil Smith - Brad's find.