Research on defensive carry and gun control.

[Polymeriffic]

Hi, I have been a member here for a little while, but have only read and lurked until now. I am a student at a Christian university and am currently working on a research paper on gun control. My thesis in a nutshell is that our ability to carry makes our society safer than without.

I was hoping that some of the members here may be able to point me in the right direction for some pro-gun books/sources on this subject. Most of what I have been finding seems to be slanted to the anti-gun side.

Thanks.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[INccwchris]

anything by mas ayoob is a great start, start there, and work your way through the list of books he references from

[gasmitty]

Go cruise the web sites of pro-gun groups and loads of resources are bound to turn up. A few are -
Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership - http://jpfo.org/
Gun Owners of America - http://gunowners.org/
Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms - http://www.ccrkba.org/
NRA - Institute for Legislative Action - http://www.nraila.org/

Plus, dig into published works by economist John Lott and attorney Dave Kopel.

That should give you enough to chew on for a while.

[oakchas]

According to a task force formed by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the NAS (National Academy of Science), any correlation between any gun control laws (including longer waiting periods, Weapons bans, and (according to them) "shall issue")in this country and a reduction in crime can't be proven, "more study needed."

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5214a2.htm

Now what's significant about that, to me, is that a reasonably anti gun group (or 2, in this case) can't tell us that any bans or restrictions on guns are effective at reducing crime. And of course... they say that any studies that makes gun access easier, (like shall issue) don't necessarily point to lower crime rates as well.

Be careful using Lott... While I like what he has to say, some of his work has been discredited due to methodology.

Here's an interesting site for stats in a fact/myth format: http://gunfacts.info/

good luck.

[chiefjason]

Gary Kleck is another one to check out.

[e4dan]

Gary Kleck is another one to check out.

+1, chiefjason. Prof. Gary Kleck's book is:
Point Blank: Guns and Violence in America
Kleck is Prof of Criminology, Univ of Florida. Results of his research were opposite of what he expected. Despite his liberal views he stood by the conclusions of his study. INTEGRITY++ !

[archer51]

Check out John Lott's book More Guns, Less Crime. A good starting point, along with the other references given here.

[dylistn]

According to a task force formed by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the NAS (National Academy of Science), any correlation between any gun control laws (including longer waiting periods, Weapons bans, and (according to them) "shall issue")in this country and a reduction in crime can't be proven, "more study needed."

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5214a2.htm

Be careful using Lott... While I like what he has to say, some of his work has been discredited due to methodology.

Here's an interesting site for stats in a fact/myth format: http://gunfacts.info/

good luck.

Thanks for the Gunfacts link. Do you have any references discrediting Lot's methodology?

[Harobi]

When writing papers like this be sure to use evidence from both sides. Try to find some anti-firearm groups to corroborate your evidence. If you cannot find any at least look for neutral parties. Be sure to mention this in your paper as well, makes your argument that much more credible. This is done because evidence can be taken out of context or slanted one way or another for every piece of evidence. Almost everyone does it whether they realize it or not.

[Gaius]

As mentioned above, John Lott is an outstanding source. He is an economist with no axe to grind in the debate. I have heard him speak, and the data he presents is overwhelming as to the negative effects of gun control legislation.

[TedBeau]

According to a task force formed by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the NAS (National Academy of Science), any correlation between any gun control laws (including longer waiting periods, Weapons bans, and (according to them) "shall issue")in this country and a reduction in crime can't be proven, "more study needed."

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5214a2.htm

Now what's significant about that, to me, is that a reasonably anti gun group (or 2, in this case) can't tell us that any bans or restrictions on guns are effective at reducing crime. And of course... they say that any studies that makes gun access easier, (like shall issue) don't necessarily point to lower crime rates as well.

Be careful using Lott... While I like what he has to say, some of his work has been discredited due to methodology.

Here's an interesting site for stats in a fact/myth format: http://gunfacts.info/

good luck.

I own a copy of Lott's book, and since I am not a statistician I found it difficult to follow some of his methodoligy, but from what I could gather he went to great lengths to eliminate minor abnomalities and to weigh all factors that seemed appropriate to include.

If someone attempts to discredit the work I would take a serious look at that persons creditials and their objections to the conclusions drawn in More Guns, Less Crime. Lott is placing his reputation and career on this research so I think he has been carefull to do an accurate study.

[JoeyD]

There are lots of good arguments and references from throughout US history presented in briefs for the Heller vs DC case, "Totaling over 1,000 pages, the pro-Second Amendment briefs collectively present the best thoughts, best reading, ever assembled on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. The briefs can be found online at http://www.nraila.org/heller."

[satori59]

Tough to find any "research" that is not backed by one side of the argument or the other.

[KoriBustard]

All of the above sources are good ones. Given that you are attending a Christian University, you might be interested in -- http://www.christiangunowner.com as your instructor/professor may appreciate bring that perspective to your research.

By the way, welcome from a fellow Massachusetts resident.

[Polymeriffic]

Thank you all for your input. Will be running to the local library tomorrow to try to find the books by Lott and Kleck, they sound like exactly what I am looking for.

Thank you KoriBustard for your welcome. I just moved here from CA, looking to apply for my LTC soon, crossing my fingers for class A unrestricted. From what I understand its a bit of a toss up as to whether Ill get it, but it cant be worse than the "No Issue" situation in Los Angeles county, atleast here I have a chance.