ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN!

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American Carnage:Shattering the Myths That Fuel Gun Violence, by Thomas Gabor and Fred Guttenberg (Mango Publishing Group, Coral Gables, Fl., 2023, 228 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

View interview with co-author Thomas Gabor on the "Bookshelf" section with host Anat Tour by clicking here.

May 26, 2023 (San Diego) – Criminologist Tom Gabor and activist Fred Guttenberg, who lost his 14-year old daughter Jaime in the 2018 Parkland school shooting, team up to dismantle some of the leading myths on guns and gun violence in their groundbreaking book and treatise; American Carnage: Shattering the Myths That Fuel Gun Violence. Many of these myths have been promoted by the gun lobby to facilitate gun sales and normalize the presence of guns in American society.

Co-author Tom Gabor reiterates much about what is said in this book in a video above by Anat Tour, the host of the "Bookshelf" section of the East County Magazine. The interview by this excellent talent, Tour, can be viewed and listened to by clicking on the link above.

This extraordinary book resonates with me in a profound and personal way, for I am a survivor of gun violence myself, along with two of my sons, and in my more than 400 book reviews written, American Carnage has impacted my psyche more than any other. This book touches my heart and soul!

Mind you, this week marks the tragic and heartfelt anniversary of the numerous school children murdered in Uvalde, Texas, a day that will live in infamy in this country.

Using the most recent research and data, the authors take on beliefs, such as;

  1. Gun laws are recent inventions:
  2. Homes and schools with guns are safer;
  3. The Constitution affords an unlimited right to own a gun; and
  4. Guns don’t kill, people do.

I actually debunk many of these myths in my own “Reader’s Editorial” in the East County Magazine, particularly what it says about the 2nd Amendment, and I am in line with the authors’ thinking.

Of the numerous myths in this thoroughly and well documented book by the authors, the one that stands out to me is; “Myth 8: Guns Make Women Safer.” There is a belief that a gun will protect women from men who prey on them. Guns are viewed by some as a great equalizer, as they are said to compensate for the smaller physical stature of women.

Fact Check: When we examine violence against women, it quickly becomes apparent that most violence against women is committed in private by male partners rather than in public spaces by strangers. Over nine in ten of women who are murdered are killed by men they know, and the majority of those men are intimate partners. Guns are the weapon used in more than half of all killings of women. Given that much violence against women is committed by intimate partners, guns kept by women in the home may be used against them. So says the authors of this well researched and documented book, Tom Gabor and Fred Guttenberg! 

The authors further state in American Carnage, in regard to Myth 8: Guns Make Women Safer, which is revealing: “Christy Salters Martin is a professional boxer and the owner of a concealed carry permit. But when she attempted to leave her husband, she was shot with her own gun. Today, she cautions other women against making the same mistake.”

The authors recently had a promotional tour of the White House, perhaps to drum up support for an “Assault Weapons Ban”, as was orchestrated by Jay Inslee the Governor of the state of Washington and in my hometown of Chicago. While at the White House, the authors took pictures with Senator Shumer and Nancy Pelosi, among others, holding their book American Carnage. I sincerely believe that a federal Assault Weapons Ban is on the horizon, and it is much needed.

Another myth in this thought provoking book is “Myth 9: Arming Teachers Will Make Schools Safer.” Following the slaughter of students and school staff at both Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, there were calls by the NRA to arm teachers. Wayne LaPierre’s oft-repeated slogan, “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,” was first said by him after the Newtown shooting. The NRA went on to use the Newtown mass shooting to push for additional gun sales, and they have been successful. After the Parkland mass shooting, Florida passed a law allowing school districts to train and arm school staff.

Fact Check: Gabor and Guttenberg states in American Carnage; “The recitation of LaPierre’s slogan in the aftermath of these slaughters of our young is in our view cynical, offensive, and unsupported by empirical evidence. It is also as illogical to suggest that increasing the volume of guns will reduce gun violence as it is to make opioids more accessible as a way of addressing the opioid crisis.” I could not have said it any better!

In the case of Parkland, had the on-campus armed law enforcement officer taken action and done something, perhaps he could have reduced the carnage, but he would not have been able to stop it. Perhaps Jaime Guttenberg, who was killed on the third floor, the second to last or thirty-third person to be shot, could have been saved. But how many would still have been killed or wounded? While we will never know, our second author Fred Guttenberg has seen the photos and videos of the shooting in progress; he has seen the chaos they captured. If panicked and armed teachers had been shooting into the running crowds of students trying to get to safety, more people might in fact have been ended up being shot.

Dr. Grant H. Geissler, the doctor at Children Memorial Hospital in Chicago who operated on and saved my son Damien’s life when he was 11-years old, after being shot through the back and losing his spleen, is pictured here.

I recall two Chicago policeman coming to my home and telling me that both my sons had been shot, Damien at 11 and Darius at 16. It was a parent’s worst nightmare. I recall getting into my car driving on the curb and through the lights, crying and praying to God that if He spared my son I would do anything for Him.

I get to the hospital and talked to Dr. Geissler, who told me that Damien would live, but that he had lost his spleen, and that he would have to take penicillin for the rest of his life. I recall going to see Damien in Intensive Care (ICU), with tubes in him and his face swollen up. He survived, and it is a memory that I will never forget, something that I wish had occurred for Fred Guttenberg!

Damien survived to the extent, that he became a star athlete in high school, being selected as “Athlete of the Month” at Hoffman Estates High School, with his picture posted on the walls at the high school, due to his achievements in wrestling and gymnastics. Now, some 25 years later he and I have regular video chat conversations with each other.

My 16 year old son Darius, who was less seriously hurt, although shot in the foot, recovered from that traumatic incident as they were coming from seeing the movie together some 25 years ago. The three of us were all together this past September, relishing in our good fortune and Blessing. Mind you, I was shot myself some 41 years ago on the Southside of Chicago, and felt the life coming out of me, I was dying! To look at the attached picture of me after we all had been shot and lived to talk about it, is truly a Blessing! We three probably would have all died if we had been shot with the AR-15 that Jamie Guttenberg had been shot with. God certainly has something more in store for us, as I joined the Prison Ministry in Chicago, and would later become the President of the Bethel A.M.E. Prison Ministry in San Diego.

I want to do all I can to honor Jamie Guttenberg, and all-others in this senseless shooting throughout our country, by helping to pass an “Assault Weapons Ban”!  Evidently Oprah Winfrey wants to do the same, as indicated in the attached picture and pronouncement by her. This certainly contrasts with the pictured members of Congress and their families brandishing assault weapons.

Dennis Moore has been the Associate Editor of the East County Magazine in San Diego and the book review editor for SDWriteway, an online newsletter for writers in San Diego that has partnered with the East County Magazine, along with being the former President of the Bethel A.M.E. Prison Ministry in San Diego, as well as an author of a book about Chicago politics. Mr. Moore can be contacted at contractsagency@gmail.com or you can follow him on Twitter at: @DennisMoore8.

 

 

 

 


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Comments

Crumbley Verdict

As parents, we can't monitor every single thing our child(ren) may be doing, moment by moment, but when there are any red flags it is our job to intervene; take action, especially if those flags portend of imminent danger and disaster. I thought today's verdict was exceptionally sad, but warranted. Finally. How could any parent ignore such blatant signals that her son was deeply troubled? Today's verdict is just one small victory in an attempt to begin to hold others responsible--those who have acted irresponsibly. Now, if we could just pass appropriate legislation to eradicate this problem, altogether. Today's verdict demonstrates that people in general are sick and tired of this horrible epidemic in our society and are taking a stand. I applaud the jury who obviously took the time to give this case time and thought--to render the verdict they did. It gives me hope.

Fred Guttenberg appears on MSNBC show tonight!

On the day that the mother of the young man in Michigan was convicted on four counts of facilitating the shooting deaths of students, Fred Guttenberg appears on the Stephanie Ruhle show on MSNBC to indicate that parents need to be held accountable for the harm their children have done in the use of an AR-15, seemingly the weapon of choice in mass shootings across the country.

Will definitely be sending

Will definitely be sending them to you this week! Life gets the best of me sometimes, and I forget, but I think that you would enjoy them, and people need to learn more about a variety of things and not just stick to one thing sometimes. It is always important to be a little bit knowledgeable about a bunch of things, and still have expertise in one main area.

Another mass shooting today in Lewiston, Maine!

Tragically, there has been another mass shooting in this country, with it being the 566th mass shooting this year. As of this writing, there has been 18 deaths in Lewiston, Maine, with numerous injuries. The Congressman in Maine, Jared Golden, apologized for his earlier position on guns in a news conference, and now says he is in support of an assault weapons ban, something that the authors of subject book would applaud. This gun violence madness must stop!

San Diego Magazine Women of the Year

Dennis, I was nominated for Healthcare Pioneer for SD Magazine woman of the year, and I am so excited. I am a healthcare pioneer because I have been in the field for 11 years helping a variety of people to see their issues in different perspectives. I have even written 2 books and am excited to be part of this.

You certainly have my vote Dr. Tania!

Dr. Tania, as a candidate for SD Magazine Woman of the Year, you certainly have my vote, and I applaud you for your comments on the referenced issue of gun violence. It just underscores how well rounded you are as a professional in the healthcare field. I am also anxious to get and read the books you promised for me.

You certainly have my vote Dr. Tania!

Dr. Tania, as a candidate for SD Magazine Woman of the Year, you certainly have my vote, and I applaud you for your comments on the referenced issue of gun violence. It just underscores how well rounded you are as a professional in the healthcare field. I am also anxious to get and read the books you promised for me.

Gun Laws

Dennis, thank you for bringing this very important topic to light. The interview and the book seem very intriguing for the public to truly understand how the gun laws are not protecting people but hurting them even more. Taking the time to write this book takes a lot of courage on the Author's part. As an author myself I have ideas of many books to write informing the public of the tragedies in our world that occur daily that people have no clue occur. Thank you for also sharing your own personal experiencr of such tragedies that occur to innocent people. Adding the title to my cart!

Senseless Gun Violence Continues with Murder of LASD Deputy!

This past Saturday here in the Antelope Valley, Palmdale preciseless, the proliferation of guns and the ensuing gun violence contiued to raise its ugly head with the senseless murder of Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Clinkunbroomer pictured here.

Police can't properly handle citizens

with mental disorders, often killing them, and mentally affected citizens with guns take a toll of police. But what can one expect in a country offering endless wars, based on a policy that our appointed enemies don't deserve to live. Hillary spoke it: "We came, we saw, he died" referring to the head of a US ally, Libya. It also refers to the thousands of foreign civilians killed annually by the U.S.

Pastor Joel Osteen Megachurch scene of AR-15 shooting!

Yesterday at the Lakewood Megachurch in Houston a disgruntled woman walked into the church carrying an AR-15 assault weapon with "Free Palestine" written on it, and started shooting. Ironically, I was watching the broadcast of Pastor Osteen's weekly service, as I generally do, and I am saddened by this continued gun violence in our country. I am not sure as to what message this woman was attempting to send, but this carnage must stop!000

Gabor/Guttenberg book review

Thanks to writers like Dennis Moore, he brings to our attention the desperate need to change the gun laws. I was stunned to learn that his terrific colleague of mine, and his two sons, experienced gun violence themselves. I had no idea. More admiration from me for Dennis because it must have been hard, yes, as he said, to write about this unthinkable topic. But that's Dennis: He is known for putting the good of mankind ahead of himself. The other thing Dennis does is make you want to go out and buy the books he writes about. This is no exception. I can wait to get it. Read it. And, continue to join the many viable causes against guns. I will do so with more zeal than ever before. Thanks to Anar for bringing this great interview to us. It was both insightful and helpful.

Assault Ban

Dennis, I have been reading your reviews for a while. This one has to be the most eye opening and jarring at the same time. Too many times we hear about gun violence on a daily Newspaper Headline It's awful and frightening. The scary fact is there has bee no movement in Congress to act with urgency. You mentioned in your review that you were shot and two of. Your sons. I can't imagine what you experienced, But you put it into context in your review you and your son's are survivors of gun violence no-one should have to tell that story. I Wil be at the Ballot Box. Be Blessed Ms. Cadillac

Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting Verdict!

Today the shooter of 63 people in a Jewish Synagogue in Pittsburgh, 11 of which died, was convicted. He, like so many other mass murderers, used an AR-15. This gun violence has to stop!

Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting Verdict!

Today the shooter of 63 people in a Jewish Synagogue in Pittsburgh, 11 of which died, was convicted. He, like so many other mass murderers, used an AR-15. This gun violence has to stop!

Assault Ban

Dennis, I have been reading your reviews for a while. This one has to be the most eye opening and jarring at the same time. Too many times we hear about gun violence on a daily Newspaper Headline It's awful and frightening. The scary fact is there has bee no movement in Congress to act with urgency. You mentioned in your review that you were shot and two of. Your sons. I can't imagine what you experienced, But you put it into context in your review you and your son's are survivors of gun violence no-one should have to tell that story. I Wil be at the Ballot Box. Be Blessed Ms. Cadillac

Anat Tour generated more than 4,000 Tweets in 30 minutes!

Anat Tour, the new host of the "Bookshelf" section, generated more than 4,000 tweets in 30 minutes this past Wednesday, in her video interview with Thomas Gabor, the co-author of "American Carnage". That certainly bodes well for Tour and the East County Magazine going forward. I had no doubt that she ould do this, as over the years I have seen and recognized her talent. As a matter of fat, I have actually written several book reviews for her over the years, since our initial meeting at a Barnes & Noble book event that I was hosting in La Mesa, California.

American Carnage - Assault Weapons Ban

This book review was difficult to read. I say this because of the sad state of affairs relative to the senseless shooting and killings of the innocents especially the school shootings, children with bright, promising futures who are gunned down with assault rifles!! Yes, I am in agreement with the Assault Rifle Ban. There is a place for these rifles, for fighting wars, they should not be easily accessible to the general public, and background checks of thew buyers should be intensified. Dennis, I am happy to hear that both your sons are survivors and have progressed well beyond their traumatic shooting, the same for you as well. You are all here for a God given purpose. The National Rifle Association (NRA) has a serious stronghold on some members of Congress so much so that they are blinded, or looking at the shootings through rose colored glasses and fail to see and/or acknowledge the benefits of sensible gun laws. I think that the Assault Weapons will eventually pass, it may take something major to jolt the thinking of those who now currently oppose it. Submitted By: Jacqueline Carr - Author of "Quiet Thoughts"

9,536 views on Twitter on June 28, 2023!

Everyone seems to be reading and watching this review, mostly as a result of the new host of the "Bookshelf" section, Anat Tour, and her video interview of co-author Thomas Gabor

 

American Carnage

Another excellent review Dennis! I am excited to announce that I will be interviewing Tom Gabor on East County Magazine Bookshelf about their book American Carnage. Tune in at the end of June to hear our conversation and learn more about the book.

Kansas City Super Bowl Parade shooting where 1 is killed!

Coming on the anniversary of the Parkland shooting in Florida, referenced in subject book review, at a Super Bowl Parade in Kansas City where citizens where there to celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs 2nd consecutive victory 1 was killed and numerous others were injured. I have fond memories of living and working in KC and I am saddened by these continued acts of gun violence!

The Supreme Court, made up of stupid criminals,

has decided that "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed" guarantees Americans the fundamental right “to keep and bear arms" without any connection to a militia. . .There's no cure for stupid when they back a right that is obviously wrong.

President Joe Biden waiting to sign Assault Weapons Ban!

President Joe Biden has repeatedly indicated that when the Senate passes the Assault Weapons Ban and gets to his desk he will sign it. This is much needed legislation and I am sure that Fred Guttenberg will welcome it in the memory of his daughter Jamie.

One Year Anniversary of Uvalde School Massacre!

Today marks the one year anniversary of the tragic Uvalde school massacre in Texas. We have to do more to stop this senseless killing of our young people. My heart goes out to the parents of these young beautiful children.