Enough

August 18, 2014
Alternating between a factual argument against gun violence and a scathing indictment of the NRA, former congresswoman Giffords and her husband, retired astronaut Kelly, take a long hard look at the fight to strike a balance between responsible gun ownership and Second Amendment rights. Drawing on the tragedies of the recent past—Newtown, Columbine, Virginia Tech, and Giffords' own near-fatal experience—they look at the cost to society, and argue for better background checks and sensible regulations. Time and again, they return to the largest obstacle in their path: the NRA, which has deep ties to the weapons-manufacturing industry and politicians and blocks every attempt to regulate gun control. Written from Kelly’s point of view and studded with contributions from Giffords, the book makes a straightforward yet impassioned argument. At times incredibly personal, at others somewhat preachy, this study nevertheless presents its case in a way that will leave many readers upset and angry—although it may leave the NRA true-believers unmoved. The pitch for Giffords and Kelly’s new organization, Americans for Responsible Solutions, which seeks to implement “moderate, commonsense policy shifts” for gun control is reasonable and accessibly presented. Agent: Robert Barnett, Williams & Connolly

October 1, 2014

"Right now in the U.S. it is harder to buy a box of Sudafed than it is to buy a lethal weapon," writes former U.S. representative (Arizona) Giffords and her husband, Kelly, a retired astronaut and U.S. Navy captain. After Giffords was shot and gravely injured by a mentally unstable man who killed six people and wounded 13 others in 2011, she and Kelly concentrated on her recovery and rehabilitation. Then, when children at Sandy Hook Elementary School were killed by another mentally ill shooter, they decided enough was enough. Their book details efforts to create the organization, Americans for Responsible Solutions, to prevent gun violence and protect responsible gun ownership. The authors stress that they are enthusiastic firearms owners and have no desire to limit the Second Amendment or deny rightful weapons owners access to guns. They provide historical background on national and local legislation as well as a summary of the National Rifle Association and gun lobby. Especially fascinating are details on the Senate's effort to pass legislation closing loopholes that allow unsuitable persons to avoid background checks by purchasing weapons at gun shows and on the Internet. VERDICT Lay readers and political science students who want to understand the emotional debate surrounding gun ownership and current efforts to limit access to lethal weapons will appreciate the balanced discussion of the issues facing those who intend to change current firearms legislation. [See Prepub Alert, 4/14/14.]--Jill Ortner, SUNY Buffalo Libs.

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2014
The painful recovery process of former U.S. congresswoman Giffords, who was shot in 2011, inspired her and her husband, Kelly, a retired astronaut, to look beyond the personal tragedy they suffered to the broader issue of gun violence. Channeling their considerable energy into balancing the right to bear arms and the need to protect citizens from gun violence, they created Americans for Responsible Solutions. Both gun owners and users, they recall the events of the day of the shooting and the prosecution of shooter Jared Loughner, comparing the circumstances with those at Virginia Tech, the Washington Navy Yard, Sandy Hook Elementary, and a host of other shooting sites. They explore the history of gun laws in the U.S., including the storied past of the Wild West, which enforced far more gun control than most Americans realize, and the evolution of national gun laws and the growth of the gun manufacturing lobby and the National Rifle Association. This is a behind-the-scenes look at how this extraordinary wife and husband have devoted their lives to ending gun violence.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)