Gun Control in Context

'Suzanna Fay's Gun Control In Context is a must read for American gun control advocates. The gun violence carnage on U.S. streets, in schools, and families has not precipitated the kind of gun regulation that Australia implemented in the wake of the Port Arthur Massacre. Fay's insightful interviews of gun dealers reveals how this group transformed from opposition to regulation to a central role in making the country's regulations work. In Gun Control in Context she shows how by engaging this community, they were brought on board. Most Americans, including many gun owners, favor some regulation, but reform efforts run up against the lobbyists-the NRA and similar organizations, and gun manufacturers. U.S. advocates should look to the Australian experience documented by Fay and engage with the portion of the gun community who are willing to talk (rather than vilifying them as a monolith) and the lobbyists be damned. Gun Control in Context is a compelling, illuminating documentation of an important, successful implementation of gun reform.'

Robert Crutchfield, Professor Emeritus, Department of Sociology, University of Washington