{"product_id":"shooters-myths-and-realities-of-americas-gun-cultures-9780195150513","title":"Shooters: Myths and Realities of America's Gun Cultures","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn the white-hot debate over guns and gun control in America  there is one fact on which both sides in this increasingly polarized conflict can agree: Americans love their guns. 73 million Americans own guns. This translates to 1 gun owner out of every 4 citizens  many of whom  to account for the 250 million weapons currently in circulation  own several. While these facts are undisputed  a related but different question is endlessly contested: why do Americans so love their guns? Broadly speaking  what exactly is the appeal of the gun?  In this important work  Abigail Kohn immerses herself in the world of \"shooters.\" Emphasizing that not all owners are necessarily enthusiasts  Kohn dispenses with the knee-jerk dogma and rhetoric that has too often passed for reportage to travel directly to the heart of American gun culture. Frequenting gun shops and shooting ranges  and devoting particular attention to those whose interest in weaponry extends beyond the casual  she captures in finegrained and often entertaining  yet always humane  detail how gun owners actually think and feel about their guns. Through her conversations--with cowboy action shooters at a regional match  sport shooters  hunters  with shooters of all ages and races--we hear of the \"savage beauty\" of a beautifully crafted long gun  of the powerful historical import owners attach to their guns  of the sense of empowerment that comes with shooting skill  and the visceral thrill of discharging a dangerous weapon. Kohn convincingly brings out the myths  norms  and beliefs of gun ownership  stressing how values such as individualism  toughness  and liberty are intricately linked with the gun and exploring how these core values connect pro-gun ideology to wider cultural and political concerns.  Cutting through the cliches that link gun ownership with violent  criminal subcultures and portray shooters as \"gun nuts\" or potential terrorists  Abigail Kohn provides us with a lively and untainted portrait of American gun enthusiasts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45648125198389,"sku":"ByrdShop_0195150511","price":39.83,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780195150513.jpg?v=1781710149","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/shooters-myths-and-realities-of-americas-gun-cultures-9780195150513","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}