Firmin DeBrabander begs to differ with gun rights organizations in the United States who insist that the Second Amendment--"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed"--is "the 'teeth in the Bill of Rights,' providing the force that protects and preserves all other rights." In his first book, he takes a philosophical approach and delves into the justification offered by groups such as the National Rifle Association to make a strong case for why guns do not, in fact, make Americans free.
Citing philosophers--many of whom the NRA also uses to support their cause--such as John Locke, Machiavelli and Thomas Jefferson, DeBrabander illustrates flaws of logic expressed in the gun rights movement. His dissection of their writings and beliefs is presented in an easily accessible manner, which emphasizes how the proliferation of firearms threatens democracy and oppresses its citizens. He adds statistics and studies to counter arguments such as guns are the equalizer between the sexes and Stand Your Ground laws provide deterrence to crime. He then goes on to assert that these actions and policies encourage the environments for which they purport people need guns.
Though clearly in favor of stronger gun regulations, DeBrabander also points out that the underlying issues of crime must be addressed; removal and strict regulations of firearms alone will not solve the problem.
DeBrabander's examination of this complicated issue is fastidious and well supported with a plethora of reliable sources. With any luck, Do Guns Make Us Free? will spark vital dialogue. --Jen Forbus of Jen's Book Thoughts