Great news – another excellent installment from John R. Lott, Jr. on his battle with disinformation over gun control! In this new book, John brings together an impressive array of data and statistical analysis to argue that much of what we hear in the mainstream media — and from politicians — about gun violence and gun control is incorrect and biased. He has a point – well, several actually.
John sometimes uses relatively simple but logical criticisms of others’ claims about gun violence, such as distinguishing between justifiable homicides and murders, or gun ownership versus gun possession. At other times, he uses more sophisticated techniques and arguments such as noting the statistical problems with simple cross-sectional or time-series analysis. For example, if it is true that Australia had a declining firearms homicide and suicide rate prior to its gun buyback program, then simply comparing before and after rates and attributing any difference to the buyback program is illogical. Not content with just criticizing, John also works to correct the errors in the claims and studies he reviews. In Chapter 6, for instance, John details the results of his intensive data collection on mass public shootings to show that the United States’ relative standing in that ranking is not as bad as media stories and some politicians would have us believe. He includes an appendix with documentation of mass shootings cases that were not included in other studies and therefore affected the findings. His Chapter 8 on the differences in beliefs between economists, criminologists, and public health researchers is very intriguing. While I am not surprised by the findings (given the different training that these researchers get), I had not seen any previous study on the issue. This is another example of John bringing his creativity and willingness to collect unique data to the discussion. Chapter 4, “The Heroes that the News Media Doesn’t Cover” is another example of John’s predilection for data-collection. While these stories of people using guns in self-defense or to stop a crime are anecdotes, the totality nonetheless impresses. Even more instructive is how many of these stories are either neglected by the media or reported selectively.
This book should be read by anyone concerned about gun violence and, most importantly, by anyone who writes about gun violence. The book might not change many opinions, as positions in the gun violence and control argument are set pretty hard…but perhaps even those with the firmest-held beliefs will be forced to reflect and think carefully about some of John’s data, analysis and conclusions. They should, if they are truly interested in the truth.
There are some things I would quibble with in this book, and some areas where I would want more data or analysis. But John Lott has always made me think more carefully about my positions, and this book is no exception to that rule. I hope that many will read the book and engage in the argument.
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The Truth about the gun debate
John Lott is not only a gifted researcher but an honest, ethical human being. Unlike most gun control advocates who already have a preconceived conclusion and only look for information within their own echo chambers, Lott is willing to go where the evidence leads. Here’s the best part...the evidence confirms that gun ownership benefits society, protects lives and the media and dishonest politicians have been lying to you all along. From a man that was of one mindset and followed the evidence and readjusted how he looked at gun ownership, John Lott is above reproach and this book will be an asset on the shelf of any gun ownership. And finally from a Canadian in the socialist swamp to the north, Americans don’t give up your right to bear arms. Now excuse me while I go read his other book “more guns less crime“
Top reviews from other countries
R. Harper
Misleading Pro-Gun Propaganda
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2022Mr. Abus
Lott liefert all jene Fakten, die Ihnen Medien und Politiker verschweigen (Engl. transl. below)
Reviewed in Germany on May 10, 2021
