Originally published in 1993, Under Fire was widely hailed as the first objective examination of the NRA and its efforts to defeat gun control legislation. Now in this expanded edition, Osha Gray Davidson shows how the NRA's extremism has cost the organization both political power and popular support. He offers a well-reasoned and workable approach to gun control, one that will find many supporters even among the NRA membership.
鈥淎n excellent piece of reporting 鈥trongly argued鈥avidson is a thoughtful social critic who leads us carefully through a complicated, interesting, and very American bit of history.鈥濃Los Angeles Times
鈥淎n insightful, behind-the-scenes look at a powerful special interest group that has managed to prevent enactment of sensible gun laws for the last century 鈥his book is a must.鈥濃擲arah Brady, Handgun Control, Inc.
"A graduate course in real-world politics 鈥 fascinating study of the practical applications of political power.鈥濃Kirkus Reviews
鈥淒ispassionately balancing anecdote and fact . . .Under Fire is must reading鈥hat Under Fire does best is provide an inside-the-office, fly-on-the-wall view of an organization operating in a vacuum, seemingly deaf to the deadly gunfire that echoes outside its walls. No hatchet job, Under Fire lets the NRA shoot itself in the foot.鈥濃Washington Post Book World
鈥Under Fire is disturbing, depressing, well written, and carefully researched鈥he book will open your eyes.鈥濃Field and Stream
鈥淔ascinating, comprehensive, and enlightening 鈥avidson skillfully dramatizes 鈥he internal power struggle within the NRA.鈥濃Cleveland Plain-Dealer
鈥淎 useful, detailed account of legislative battles over gun control during the past fifteen years 鈥n informative, readable report.鈥濃New York Times Book Review
鈥淏y situating the NRA within the wider social and political environment within which it functions, Davidson is able to transform what would otherwise be merely another case study of a successful interest group into an informative and penetrating analysis of the policymaking process at the national level.鈥濃Arkansas Review
Acknowledgments
Part 1: The Rise of the NRA
1. The Stockton Lesson
2. The Early Years
3. One of the Great Religions of the World
Part 2: Cracks in the Empire
4. The Bullett and the Badge
5. A War in the Streets
6. Holding Actions
7. Enemies Within and Without
Part 3: Gun Wars
8. Drums Along the Potomac
9.First Blood
10. Palace Coup
11. Operation St. Joseph
12. The Last Battle
Epilogue
200,000 Bodies: The Battle Continues
Selected Bibliography
Index
