Robert Spitzer (political scientist)
Encyclopedia
Robert J. Spitzer is an American
political scientist
.
, New York. He received a Bachelor of Arts
(summa cum laude) degree from SUNY Fredonia (1975), a Master of Arts
degree (1978) and a Doctor of Philosophy
degree (1980) from Cornell University
.
at the State University of New York at Cortland
. He is the author of thirteen books and hundreds of articles, essays, and papers on many topics related to American government. His areas of specialty include the American Presidency, and gun control
. His recent books include Saving the Constitution from Lawyers: How Legal Education and Law Reviews Distort Constitutional Meaning, and Gun Control: A Documentary and Reference Guide. He is the author of The Politics of Gun Control (ISBN 978-0-87289-417-4; fourth ed., 2008), a book which analyzes the political antecedents and consequences of the controversial issue of gun control. The book examines the history of gun control, the Second Amendment
, criminological consequences of guns, the role of interest groups, public opinion, Congress, Presidency, the courts, and the major legislative acts pertaining to gun control, including the Gun Control Act of 1968
, the Firearms Owners' Protection Act of 1986, the Brady Act of 1993, the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994, and the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act
of 2005.
Spitzer views the Brady Act as a notable piece of legislation because, during its first six years of implementation, it prevented about 600,000 handgun purchases nationwide (representing about 2.5 percent of all handgun purchases) from being completed to those with criminal records or mental problems. The measure's enactment was politically significant because it represented a defeat for the politically powerful National Rifle Association
. The law was also significant because the higher fees imposed by the act led to the reduction of licensed gun dealers from 300,000 to 100,000.
Spitzer argues against the individualist interpretation of the Second Amendment, and instead holds with the court view that "the Second Amendment pertains only to citizen service in a government-organized and regulated militia".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
political scientist
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
.
Education
Spitzer attended high school in New HartfordNew Hartford (village), New York
New Hartford is a village in Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 1,886 at the 2000 census. The name was provided by early settlers for New Hartford, Connecticut....
, New York. He received a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(summa cum laude) degree from SUNY Fredonia (1975), a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree (1978) and a Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degree (1980) from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
.
Career
Spitzer is Distinguished Service Professor of Political SciencePolitical science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at the State University of New York at Cortland
State University of New York at Cortland
The State University of New York College at Cortland, also officially called SUNY Cortland or informally known as Cortland State, is a coeducational university located in Cortland, New York...
. He is the author of thirteen books and hundreds of articles, essays, and papers on many topics related to American government. His areas of specialty include the American Presidency, and gun control
Gun politics
Gun politics addresses safety issues and ideologies related to firearms through criminal and noncriminal use. Gun politics deals with rules, regulations, and restrictions on the use, ownership, and distribution of firearms.-National sovereignty:...
. His recent books include Saving the Constitution from Lawyers: How Legal Education and Law Reviews Distort Constitutional Meaning, and Gun Control: A Documentary and Reference Guide. He is the author of The Politics of Gun Control (ISBN 978-0-87289-417-4; fourth ed., 2008), a book which analyzes the political antecedents and consequences of the controversial issue of gun control. The book examines the history of gun control, the Second Amendment
Second Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights that protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, along with the rest of the Bill of Rights.In 2008 and 2010, the Supreme Court issued two Second...
, criminological consequences of guns, the role of interest groups, public opinion, Congress, Presidency, the courts, and the major legislative acts pertaining to gun control, including the Gun Control Act of 1968
Gun Control Act of 1968
The Gun Control Act of 1968 , by president Lyndon Johnson, is a federal law in the United States that broadly regulates the firearms industry and firearms owners...
, the Firearms Owners' Protection Act of 1986, the Brady Act of 1993, the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994, and the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act
The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act was passed by the U.S. Senate on July 29, 2005, by a vote of 65-31. On October 20, 2005, it was passed by the House of Representatives 283 in favor and 144 opposed. It was signed into law on October 26, 2005, by President George W...
of 2005.
Spitzer views the Brady Act as a notable piece of legislation because, during its first six years of implementation, it prevented about 600,000 handgun purchases nationwide (representing about 2.5 percent of all handgun purchases) from being completed to those with criminal records or mental problems. The measure's enactment was politically significant because it represented a defeat for the politically powerful 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 law was also significant because the higher fees imposed by the act led to the reduction of licensed gun dealers from 300,000 to 100,000.
Spitzer argues against the individualist interpretation of the Second Amendment, and instead holds with the court view that "the Second Amendment pertains only to citizen service in a government-organized and regulated militia".
Partial bibliography
- The Presidency and Public Policy (1983)
- The Right to Life Movement and Third Party Politics (1987)
- The Presidential Veto (1988)
- The Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution (1990)
- President and Congress (1993)
- Media and Public Policy (1993)
- The Politics of Gun Control (1995, 1998, 2004)
- Politics and Constitutionalism (2000)
- The Right to Bear Arms (2001)
- Essentials of American Politics (2002)
- The Presidency and the Constitution (2005)
- Saving the Constitution from Lawyers (2008)
- Editor, Book Series on American Constitutionalism for SUNY Press
Awards and honors
- Chair of Political Science Department SUNY Cortland(2008-current)
- SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities (2003)
- President, Presidency Research Group of the American Political Science Association (2001–2003)
- Cortland College Student Association Outstanding Faculty Award (1987, 1991 and 2003)
- New York State/United University Professions Excellence Award (1991)
- Best Paper Award, American Political Science Association (1996)
- Member, New York State Commission on the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution (1986–1990)
- Former Chair, Homer Zoning Board of Appeals
- Hearing Officer, Cortland, Tompkins, and Chenango County Boards of Health