The Politics of Gun Control

Reviews / Votes

Praise for the Eighth Edition

The latest edition of Robert Spitzer's classic The Politics of Gun Control continues to provide an authoritative assessment of the many issues surrounding guns in America, and offers new commentary on the growing empirical literature as well as on some of the latest wrenching spasms of gun violence that continue to plague this country. Most Americans have strong views on guns without having an equally strong understanding of the complex issues raised by the increasingly more deadly arsenal of weaponry in the hands of American civilians. Better laws and policies would be in place if more voters would read and learn from Spitzer's measured and insightful work.

--John Donahue, Stanford Law School

Robert Spitzer deftly distills decades of firearm policy-making, court decisions, and interest-group mobilization into one readable volume. As a veteran observer of the great gun debate, Spitzer brings an expert knowledge and historical view that few other scholars can rival. This updated edition is a must-have for those interested not only in the past but also in the future of gun politics in the United States.

--Jacob D. Charles, Duke University School of Law

Praise for Previous Editions

First published in 1995 and frequently updated, Robert Spitzer's excellent work is my go-to book for gun control. It is the single best primer available on gun control, and this new edition should be first on any list of readings on the topic. Anyone with an interest in firearms-for whatever reason-must read this book.

--Charles W. Smith, The Ohio State University

Bringing a classic book like this one up to date is always an important event. In this new edition, Robert Spitzer moves seamlessly between legal, social, and political perspectives to deliver a comprehensive panorama touching all the significant and nuanced issues in the current gun debate.

--Michael R. Weisser, Founder of Mike the Gun Guy: News and Notes about Guns; Author of Guns for Good Guys, Guns for Bad Guys

The Politics of Gun Control is a classic work in American politics and policy. [It] continues to capture students' imaginations (and those of faculty as well). Although arguments over gun control are frequently emotional, Robert Spitzer does his customary excellent job in providing a smart, clear-headed approach to an explosive issue.

--Burdett Loomis, University of Kansas

This is the definitive book on gun politics, written by the dean of gun politics scholars.

--Kristin A. Goss, Duke University

Robert Spitzer's The Politics of Gun Control remains the source for in-depth, thorough, and fair information and analysis for the politics of firearms in the United States. In the crisp and thoroughly readable narrative of this new edition, Spitzer takes his audience from the Founding Era to the time of Trump, providing valuable and thought-provoking insight at every stop along the way. A very important piece of work.

--Mark D. Brewer, University of Maine

Robert Spitzer has written the classic work on the gun control problem: His analysis is comprehensive, penetrating, and dispassionate. With essential information and perspective on the United States' weak gun laws, this new edition of The Politics of Gun Control should be the primary resource for all researchers, engaged citizens, and public officials.

--Raymond Tatalovich, Loyola University Chicago

The new edition of The Politics of Gun Control demonstrates that Robert Spitzer remains the preeminent scholar of firearm policy. He continues to deepen and refine his approach to the gun issue, providing a sober treatment of the persistence of gun violence and its relevance for making regulatory social policy. Spitzer's detailed analysis and crystal-clear writing make this volume valuable for students at all levels, for public policy researchers, and for the general public.

--Glenn H. Utter, Lamar University

The Politics of Gun Control is well-researched and comprehensive, and-most importantly-accessible for modern students of public policy. Through the lens of gun policy, Robert Spitzer superbly captures the nuances, absurdities, and relative certainties of American public policy.

--Zachary L. Wilhide, Old Dominion University Praise for the Eighth Edition

The latest edition of Robert Spitzer's classic The Politics of Gun Control continues to provide an authoritative assessment of the many issues surrounding guns in America, and offers new commentary on the growing empirical literature as well as on some of the latest wrenching spasms of gun violence that continue to plague this country. Most Americans have strong views on guns without having an equally strong understanding of the complex issues raised by the increasingly more deadly arsenal of weaponry in the hands of American civilians. Better laws and policies would be in place if more voters would read and learn from Spitzer's measured and insightful work.

--John Donahue, Stanford Law School

Robert Spitzer deftly distills decades of firearm policy-making, court decisions, and interest-group mobilization into one readable volume. As a veteran observer of the great gun debate, Spitzer brings an expert knowledge and historical view that few other scholars can rival. This updated edition is a must-have for those interested not only in the past but also in the future of gun politics in the United States.

--Jacob D. Charles, Duke University School of Law

Praise for Previous Editions

First published in 1995 and frequently updated, Robert Spitzer's excellent work is my go-to book for gun control. It is the single best primer available on gun control, and this new edition should be first on any list of readings on the topic. Anyone with an interest in firearms-for whatever reason-must read this book.

--Charles W. Smith, The Ohio State University

Bringing a classic book like this one up to date is always an important event. In this new edition, Robert Spitzer moves seamlessly between legal, social, and political perspectives to deliver a comprehensive panorama touching all the significant and nuanced issues in the current gun debate.

--Michael R. Weisser, Founder of Mike the Gun Guy: News and Notes about Guns; Author of Guns for Good Guys, Guns for Bad Guys

The Politics of Gun Control is a classic work in American politics and policy. [It] continues to capture students' imaginations (and those of faculty as well). Although arguments over gun control are frequently emotional, Robert Spitzer does his customary excellent job in providing a smart, clear-headed approach to an explosive issue.

--Burdett Loomis, University of Kansas

This is the definitive book on gun politics, written by the dean of gun politics scholars.

--Kristin A. Goss, Duke University

Robert Spitzer's The Politics of Gun Control remains the source for in-depth, thorough, and fair information and analysis for the politics of firearms in the United States. In the crisp and thoroughly readable narrative of this new edition, Spitzer takes his audience from the Founding Era to the time of Trump, providing valuable and thought-provoking insight at every stop along the way. A very important piece of work.

--Mark D. Brewer, University of Maine

Robert Spitzer has written the classic work on the gun control problem: His analysis is comprehensive, penetrating, and dispassionate. With essential information and perspective on the United States' weak gun laws, this new edition of The Politics of Gun Control should be the primary resource for all researchers, engaged citizens, and public officials.

--Raymond Tatalovich, Loyola University Chicago

The new edition of The Politics of Gun Control demonstrates that Robert Spitzer remains the preeminent scholar of firearm policy. He continues to deepen and refine his approach to the gun issue, providing a sober treatment of the persistence of gun violence and its relevance for making regulatory social policy. Spitzer's detailed analysis and crystal-clear writing make this volume valuable for students at all levels, for public policy researchers, and for the general public.

--Glenn H. Utter, Lamar University

The Politics of Gun Control is well-researched and comprehensive, and-most importantly-accessible for modern students of public policy. Through the lens of gun policy, Robert Spitzer superbly captures the nuances, absurdities, and relative certainties of American public policy.

--Zachary L. Wilhide, Old Dominion University