American Carnage

Shattering the Myths That Fuel Gun Violence

By: Thomas Gabor, Fred Guttenberg

Narrated by: Chris Sorensen

Fred Guttenberg, who lost his beloved daughter Jaime in the 2018 Parkland school shooting, and international gun policy consultant Thomas Gabor team up in American Carnage to dismantle some of the most common myths about guns and gun violence.

A national disgrace. Over 40,000 die each year as a result of gun violence in America. Gun law reforms could reduce the number of gun deaths per year, but many political challenges stand in the way. A widespread multi-year misinformation campaign and assault on truth by the gun lobby and gun-extremists sows doubt about the dangers posed by pervasive gun ownership and gun carrying, as well as the potential effectiveness of gun laws.

Debunking popular gun myths. Countering with strong evidence-based research the many slogans and myths repeated incessantly by spokespersons for the gun lobby and its surrogates is essential if we are to have a society in which kids can attend school safely and people can work and enjoy life without fear of being shot. Over the last thirty years, the NRA's campaign to achieve an armed society has succeeded in persuading many Americans that having a gun in the home or carrying a gun makes them safer. The evidence is overwhelming this is not the case. Tackling this and other myths is critical.

©2023 Thomas Gabor and Fred Guttenberg (P)2023 Tantor

Repetitious, Boring + Grating

A two-hour essay padded out to six. The arguments are valid and compelling but the constant repetition of the same points is ridiculous. To compound this, the reader seems unable to match his vocal inflections to the material, but simply ends most sentences on an identical upswing, as if that will make the words sound more significant.

It’s obvious that American gun violence is a societal and public health menace but this must be communicated more effectively.

I had watched an interview with the journalist Maggie Haberman, at the end of which she recommended a book called ‘American Carnage’. I purchased this one, not realizing there was another book with the same title. After 3+ hours of Chinese water torture with this pamphlet on steroids I had the realization that this could not possibly be the one she’d recommended. It was a relief to put it aside.

Myths vs fact checking.

I was fascinated by how this was presented and it kept me focused. I also was amazed at the information overall and what I was and was not aware.

This book is Disinformation

"If Blacks were citizens, then not even slaves could be denied firearms." Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney - Infamous Dred Scott v Sandford Decision
In the very first manual for the Militia authorized by the US Congress, (All able body man from 18 to 45 who were to bring their own firearms, powder, balls and other gear) militia members were encouraged to carry their firearms in town in case they were needed as heading home to retrieve them would cost valuable time in a crisis.
Recently translated records and newspaper articles from Germany of the time of WWI to the Jewish holocaust, the Nazis did in fact disarmed the German people beyond what the Weimar Government did, with continuous calls for people to turn in their guns and routine confiscation; for arming the military, (Guns would be returned eventually) to public safety claims. - Gun Control and the Third Reich by Stephen Holbrook.
If Thomas Gabor and Fred Guttenberg would lie about such easy to disprove facts, what else are they lying about?