The Gun Debate audiobook cover - What Everyone Needs to Know®

The Gun Debate

What Everyone Needs to Know®

Philip J. Cook and Kristin A. Goss

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The Gun Debate
Ownership & Usage Facts+
Pro-Gun Arguments+
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Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
According to the text, why have firearm sales remained steady or increased even though the overall rate of firearm ownership has declined?
  • A. The government has been stockpiling firearms for military use.
  • B. Existing firearm owners are increasingly likely to purchase multiple firearms in their lifetime.
  • C. Firearms have a high rate of obsolescence and must be replaced frequently.
  • D. Foreign exports of American-made firearms have surged significantly.
Question 2 of 8
What is the primary difference in how long guns and handguns are typically utilized, according to the book?
  • A. Long guns are favored for self-protection, while handguns are favored for hunting.
  • B. Long guns are mostly used in criminal misuse, while handguns are primarily used for sport.
  • C. Long guns are best suited for hunting, while handguns are best suited for self-protection and are more likely to be used in crimes.
  • D. Long guns are restricted to military use, while handguns are strictly for civilian self-defense.
Question 3 of 8
What was the significance of the 2008 Supreme Court case District of Columbia vs. Heller?
  • A. It ruled that the Second Amendment explicitly encompasses the right to bear arms in self-defense.
  • B. It established a federal ban on the sale and manufacture of assault weapons.
  • C. It mandated that all private firearm dealers perform rigorous background checks.
  • D. It declared that individual states could not ban the carrying of concealed weapons.
Question 4 of 8
How do gun-control advocates use statistics regarding suicide to argue that firearms intensify violence?
  • A. They point out that suicides account for 95 percent of all firearm-related deaths.
  • B. They note that suicide attempts are 80 percent more likely to end in death when a firearm is used.
  • C. They argue that the mere presence of a firearm in a home doubles the likelihood of a suicide attempt.
  • D. They show that individuals who purchase a firearm are immediately more likely to suffer from depression.
Question 5 of 8
What happens when a law is subject to a 'sunset provision,' as seen with the 1994 federal ban on assault weapons?
  • A. The law is automatically adopted by all 50 states after a ten-year trial period.
  • B. The law is immediately struck down if challenged in the Supreme Court.
  • C. The law is automatically terminated after a fixed period of time if it hasn't received legislative approval.
  • D. The law restricts the sale of weapons exclusively to daylight hours.
Question 6 of 8
What do preliminary studies suggest about the pro-gun argument that high rates of neighborhood firearm ownership deter criminals?
  • A. They strongly support the argument, showing a 50 percent drop in burglaries in armed neighborhoods.
  • B. They suggest the opposite: such neighborhoods are actually more likely to be targeted by burglars.
  • C. They show that criminals are only deterred if the firearms are visibly carried by residents.
  • D. They conclude that neighborhood firearm ownership has absolutely no statistical impact on crime rates.
Question 7 of 8
According to gun-control advocates, what is a broader economic consequence of widespread firearm possession and violence in a community?
  • A. It causes an increase in federal income taxes for the residents of that state.
  • B. It leads to the complete defunding of local public school systems.
  • C. It results in businesses performing poorly and a decline in property values.
  • D. It forces local governments to completely ban commercial real estate development.
Question 8 of 8
Which of the following best describes the snapshot of US public opinion on gun control as of 2012, based on the text?
  • A. A vast majority supports stricter laws, but support for protecting gun rights has also risen significantly.
  • B. Americans almost universally oppose background checks but support bans on assault weapons.
  • C. Support for gun rights has plummeted, with over 90 percent of Americans wanting a total ban on firearms.
  • D. Most Americans believe the current laws are far too strict and want the federal government to abolish all gun regulations.

The Gun Debate — Full Chapter Overview

The Gun Debate Summary & Overview

The Gun Debate (2014) conveys a clear picture of how firearms are bought, sold, used, and policed in the US. It lists and fact-checks a number of key arguments used by both pro and anti-gun campaigners in the ongoing debate about the parameters of gun control across the country.

Who Should Listen to The Gun Debate?

  • People who want facts – not opinions – about firearms and their use in the US
  • Americans seeking to better understand the current system of gun control
  • Anyone curious about America’s unique relationship with firearms

About the Author: Philip J. Cook and Kristin A. Goss

Philip Cook is a professor of public policy, economics, and sociology at Duke University. Kristin Goss is a professor of public policy and political science at Duke University. Both have researched and published extensively on US firearm policies.

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