Why It's OK to Own a Gun

The right to self-defense is explored in the documentary "Why It's OK to Own a Gun," but it also looks at what gun ownership means in American culture. Guns can give people a sense of community and a feeling of empowerment that is not dependent on their wealth or social standing. Guns should be considered a fundamental right, just like freedom of religion and freedom of expression, because they have historically protected republican freedom.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 29 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Why It's OK to Own a Gun delves into the realm of self-defense, but also extends its scope to examine the profound significance of gun ownership in American society. Guns offer a source of meaning that transcends material wealth or professional status, providing a sense of unity and identity that is not bound by intellectual credentials or ideological conformity. For many responsible gun owners, owning a gun serves as a means of reclaiming their agency and asserting their independence in the world.

While guns may hold importance for only a minority of Americans, the same can be said for numerous fundamental political liberties, such as freedom of religion and freedom of expression. Just as these rights are deemed essential, so too should gun rights be recognized as fundamental rights. In fact, as foreseen by some members of America's founding generation, gun rights have played a crucial role in safeguarding republican freedom.

It is important to note that there is nothing morally wrong with any of these values, making owning a gun entirely acceptable. This book explores the grounds of the political rights of gun ownership, connects the debate over guns with the sociology of gun ownership, describes genuinely worthwhile features of a way of life that may be unfamiliar to many readers, considers both empirical and normative aspects of the gun debate, and engages in thoughtful reflection about individual rights within the context of state power.

Weight: 570g
Dimension: 198 x 129 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367141066