Under the Gun

Weapons, Crime, and Violence in America

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Crimes & Criminals, Criminology
Cover of the book Under the Gun by Peter H. Rossi, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Peter H. Rossi ISBN: 9781351300780
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: September 29, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Peter H. Rossi
ISBN: 9781351300780
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: September 29, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

In 1978, the Social and Demographic Research Institute of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, received a grant from the National Institute of Justice to undertake a comprehensive review of the literature on weapons, crime, and violence in the United States. The purpose of the project is best described as a "sifting and winnowing" of the claims and counterclaims from both sides of the Great American Gun War - the perennial struggle in American political life over what to do, if anything, about guns, about violence, and about crime. The review and analysis of the available studies consumed the better part of three years; the results of this work are contained in this volume.The intention of any review is to take stock of the available fund of knowledge in some topical area. Under the Gun is no different: our goal has been to glean from the volumes of previous studies those facts that, in our view, seem firmly and certainly established; those hypotheses that seem adequately supported by, or at least approximately consistent with, the best available research evidence; and those areas or topics about which, it seems, we need to know a lot more than we do. One of our major conclusions can be stated in advance: despite the large number of studies that have been done, many critically important questions have not been adequately researched, and some of them have not been examined at all.Much of the available research in the area of weapons and crime has been done by advocates for one or another policy position. As a consequence, the manifest intent of many "studies" is to persuade rather than to inform. We have tried to approach the topic from a purely agnostic point of view, treating as an open question what policies should be enacted with regard to gun, or crime, control. Thus, we have tried to judge each study on its own merits, on the basis of the routine standards normally applied to social-scientific research, and not on the basis of how effectively it argues for a particular policy direction. It would, of course, be presumptuous to claim that we have set aside all our own biases in conducting this study. Whether or not our treatment is fair and objective is clearly something for the reader, and not us, to decide.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In 1978, the Social and Demographic Research Institute of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, received a grant from the National Institute of Justice to undertake a comprehensive review of the literature on weapons, crime, and violence in the United States. The purpose of the project is best described as a "sifting and winnowing" of the claims and counterclaims from both sides of the Great American Gun War - the perennial struggle in American political life over what to do, if anything, about guns, about violence, and about crime. The review and analysis of the available studies consumed the better part of three years; the results of this work are contained in this volume.The intention of any review is to take stock of the available fund of knowledge in some topical area. Under the Gun is no different: our goal has been to glean from the volumes of previous studies those facts that, in our view, seem firmly and certainly established; those hypotheses that seem adequately supported by, or at least approximately consistent with, the best available research evidence; and those areas or topics about which, it seems, we need to know a lot more than we do. One of our major conclusions can be stated in advance: despite the large number of studies that have been done, many critically important questions have not been adequately researched, and some of them have not been examined at all.Much of the available research in the area of weapons and crime has been done by advocates for one or another policy position. As a consequence, the manifest intent of many "studies" is to persuade rather than to inform. We have tried to approach the topic from a purely agnostic point of view, treating as an open question what policies should be enacted with regard to gun, or crime, control. Thus, we have tried to judge each study on its own merits, on the basis of the routine standards normally applied to social-scientific research, and not on the basis of how effectively it argues for a particular policy direction. It would, of course, be presumptuous to claim that we have set aside all our own biases in conducting this study. Whether or not our treatment is fair and objective is clearly something for the reader, and not us, to decide.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Asian American Youth by Peter H. Rossi
Cover of the book The Politics of Southeast Asia's New Media by Peter H. Rossi
Cover of the book War and Revolution in the Caucasus by Peter H. Rossi
Cover of the book New Perspectives on the History and Historiography of Southeast Asia by Peter H. Rossi
Cover of the book Cutting Rhythms by Peter H. Rossi
Cover of the book Lighting: Interior and Exterior by Peter H. Rossi
Cover of the book Educating for Civic-mindedness by Peter H. Rossi
Cover of the book The Initial Period of War on the Eastern Front, 22 June - August 1941 by Peter H. Rossi
Cover of the book Developing A Leadership Role Within The Key Stage 2 Curriculum by Peter H. Rossi
Cover of the book Japan's International Democracy Assistance as Soft Power by Peter H. Rossi
Cover of the book Management Gurus and Management Fashions by Peter H. Rossi
Cover of the book Critical Reasoning by Peter H. Rossi
Cover of the book Masque and Opera in England, 1656-1688 by Peter H. Rossi
Cover of the book Ritual, Myth and the Modernist Text by Peter H. Rossi
Cover of the book Within Her Power by Peter H. Rossi
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy