Harry Wilson (research author)
Encyclopedia
Dr. Harry L. Wilson, a Pennsylvania State University
and Rutgers University
alumni. He was employeed as a bartender during his undergraduate and graduate school time. Alumnus, is professor of political science at Roanoke College
. and director of the college’s Center for Community Research He is the author of the book, Guns, Gun Control, and Elections: The Politics and Policy of Firearms (Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc, 2006).
Guns, Gun Control, and Elections, explains how current gun control policy was adopted by discussing the roles and interactions of elected officials, interest groups, political parties, and the citizens. By examining arguments for and against stricter gun control, the book helps the reader interpret and understand current research on guns and their uses and gun control.
The book provides insights into how the public perceives the issue of guns and gun control and how the issue is portrayed in the news media. In both instances, Wilson’s conclusions, based on his own research, differ to some degree from the conventional wisdom. For example, while the public tends to support various forms of gun control legislation, they hold out little hope that such laws will reduce gun violence. Coverage of the issue in the national news media tends to be mostly objective, but when there is a bias it is almost always in favor of gun control. While the National Rifle Association
receives a great deal of attention in the news, its portrayal is much more likely to be negative than positive.
Wilson devotes a chapter of the book specifically to gun policy in the Commonwealth of Virginia A sabbatical in 2003 provided Wilson the time to attend several Virginia General Assembly
sessions where he interviewed legislators and lobbyists. According to Wilson, because of Virginia’s proximity to the nation’s capital and the diversity of its citizens, and because it is home to the National Rifle Association
, the state is in a position to influence national gun control policy.
Wilson views guns as “tools” that may be used for recreation, protection, or crime, with the purpose being defined by the gun’s owner. Self admittedly his conclusions lean towards arguments for gun rights; however, Wilson does not seek to influence the reader towards a particular side. Rather, his intent is to provide readers wide-ranging information regarding important debates surrounding gun control issues and the importance of its influence on policy making decisions. Guns, Gun Control, and Elections offers insight into the complexities of the issues and constituents that drive gun policy decisions. Wilson challenges the reader to think about the issues.
“A wonderful introduction to the far-reaching significance of fire-arms in America, Wilson’s work is a very good supplement for an Introduction to American Politics class” writes John M. Bruce, associate professor of political science, at the University of Mississippi
.
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
and Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
alumni. He was employeed as a bartender during his undergraduate and graduate school time. Alumnus, is professor of political science at Roanoke College
Roanoke College
Roanoke College is an private, coeducational, four-year liberal-arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The college is located in Salem, Virginia, a suburban independent city adjacent to Roanoke, Virginia...
. and director of the college’s Center for Community Research He is the author of the book, Guns, Gun Control, and Elections: The Politics and Policy of Firearms (Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc, 2006).
Guns, Gun Control, and Elections, explains how current gun control policy was adopted by discussing the roles and interactions of elected officials, interest groups, political parties, and the citizens. By examining arguments for and against stricter gun control, the book helps the reader interpret and understand current research on guns and their uses and gun control.
The book provides insights into how the public perceives the issue of guns and gun control and how the issue is portrayed in the news media. In both instances, Wilson’s conclusions, based on his own research, differ to some degree from the conventional wisdom. For example, while the public tends to support various forms of gun control legislation, they hold out little hope that such laws will reduce gun violence. Coverage of the issue in the national news media tends to be mostly objective, but when there is a bias it is almost always in favor of gun control. While the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
receives a great deal of attention in the news, its portrayal is much more likely to be negative than positive.
Wilson devotes a chapter of the book specifically to gun policy in the Commonwealth of Virginia A sabbatical in 2003 provided Wilson the time to attend several Virginia General Assembly
Virginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
sessions where he interviewed legislators and lobbyists. According to Wilson, because of Virginia’s proximity to the nation’s capital and the diversity of its citizens, and because it is home to the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
, the state is in a position to influence national gun control policy.
Wilson views guns as “tools” that may be used for recreation, protection, or crime, with the purpose being defined by the gun’s owner. Self admittedly his conclusions lean towards arguments for gun rights; however, Wilson does not seek to influence the reader towards a particular side. Rather, his intent is to provide readers wide-ranging information regarding important debates surrounding gun control issues and the importance of its influence on policy making decisions. Guns, Gun Control, and Elections offers insight into the complexities of the issues and constituents that drive gun policy decisions. Wilson challenges the reader to think about the issues.
“A wonderful introduction to the far-reaching significance of fire-arms in America, Wilson’s work is a very good supplement for an Introduction to American Politics class” writes John M. Bruce, associate professor of political science, at the University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
.
- http://web.roanoke.edu/x7563.xml
- http://roanoke.edu/Academics/Academic_Departments/Public_Affairs/Faculty_and_Staff/Dr_Harry_L_Wilson.htm