The Changing Politics of Gun Control

In recent years, political discourse about gun control and the Second Amendment has become increasingly volatile and this collection of original essays by top scholars illuminates the various reasons why. Gun lobbies such as the National Rifle Association are more organized and aggressive and their issue agenda has evolved as new and more powerful weapons and militia appear. On the other side of the debate, the critical wounding of James Brady gave gun control advocates a visible martyr with strong ties to Republican conservatives. In sum, gun control and the right to bear arms have become hotly disputed issues where political alignments are constantly shifting. The contributors chart these changes and explore how Congress, the courts, the President, and individual states are currently addressing the issue of gun control. This book, which includes profiles and examinations of relevant interest groups, the gun control coalition, recent Supreme Court decisions, and public opinion surveys, will be of great interest to classes in political science, American government, law, and sociology.

TED G. JELEN is Professor of Political Science at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. His main research interests are in the political mobilization of religious belief, the politics of abortion, and public attitudes toward feminist issues. His work has appeared in a number of scholarly journals and books.

Mark J. Rozell is dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. He also holds the Ruth D. and John T. Hazel chair in Public Policy.

Harry L. Wilson is director of the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research and professor of political science at Roanoke College, Salem, VA, USA.