Firearms and violence : a critical review /

Using evidence from existing research, the National Research Council, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, examined the role of firearms in violence. In 2000, over 10,000 Americans were murdered by guns and over 48,000 were injured. More suicides than homicides resulted from guns. Firearms were frequently used defensively, presumably to hold off those who would do harm. However, the report's general conclusion is that there is no convincing data on the important questions: Who owns guns of what types, and how often do they use them? What are the characteristics of gun owners? To what degree is violence associated with gun ownership? What effect does the right to carry a concealed weapon (allowed in 34 states) have on crime rates? More accurately, how often are guns used defensively? What are the most effective ways to reduce the use of guns in violence and suicide? This is a most important book. One hopes that it will lead to a reduction in firearm violence. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. D. Harper University of Rochester