by John Lott

Now in paperback!

It's axiomatic among gun control enthusiasts that restricting the availability and number of firearms in the hands of the public will reduce crime. But does the data support this assumption? Lott uses thorough research to show the answer is a resounding NO. Instead, Lott demonstrates that widespread possession of firearms by the public significantly reduces crime. His research argues that increasing gun control is associated with rising, not falling, crime rates. As Lott points out, military surplus pistols and rifles were widely available by mail order in the late 1940s and early 1950s, but violent crime rates then were only a fraction of what they are today. He makes a compelling argument that other factors, such as the breakdown of traditional family and social structures, are far more significant in determining the rate of violent crime. (Lott points out that the Swiss are one of the most heavily armed societies on Earth, yet have an extremely low violent crime rate; they also have, not coincidentally, very strong and stable family units.) Lott also discusses the deterrent potential of an armed populace, showing how criminals are understandably reluctant to attack potential victims who might be armed. This is a powerful, logically argued, and thoroughly documented rebuttal to the emotionally overwrought arguments of many gun control advocates.