Gun Control in Context: Learning from the Australian Gun Control Experience

This book approaches the gun control debate by asking what it takes to achieve acceptance of, and compliance with, gun control regulations in a community thought to be opposed and resistant. It does this by centring this question on the experience of gun dealers who occupy a dual role in the compliance process – subject to its regulations, yet central to the application of all regulatory processes. The findings are surprising in that they demonstrate more support for gun control than opposition among this group, more willingness to cooperate with authorities than resistance, and more possibility for setting the tone for support with the wider gun owning community. This book considers how policy makers in the USA can capitalise on these overtones of collaboration and concern for public safety and learn from the successes and mistakes of the Australian gun control experience.

Gun Control in Context is essential reading for all those engaged across the broad spectrum of the gun control debate and offers a grounded and reasoned approach to the challenges of public policy. It will be of interest to criminologists, legal scholars, and political scientists alike.

Suzanna Fay is Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Queensland. Her current research considers how perceptions of gun regulation by police, dealers, and the community influence debate and enforcement of Australia’s gun laws.