Patrick Charles’ Vote Gun aims to interrogate the intersection of firearms, democracy, and constitutional law in America—a topic both timely and fraught. The book takes a legal-historical approach to examining how gun rights and political identity have become intertwined in the American imagination, and to Charles’ credit, his research is extensive and his commitment to the subject matter is evident.

However, based on the uncorrected proof, the reading experience was less than smooth. The draft was riddled with formatting issues, unclear transitions, and inconsistencies that made it difficult to fully engage with the arguments. It’s entirely possible that the finished version will be much clearer and more cohesive, but in this version, the structure feels disjointed and the prose uneven. Passages that should offer insight or punch often get bogged down in dense legalese or abrupt shifts in tone.

Conceptually, Vote Gun raises important questions—especially about how the Second Amendment has been politically reinterpreted over time—but the book struggles to maintain narrative momentum or make its ideas accessible to a general audience. At times, it feels more like a collection of law journal articles than a unified work of nonfiction.

Still, Charles is clearly knowledgeable, and readers already well-versed in constitutional theory or gun policy might find valuable insights buried within the text. Hopefully, in its final, polished form, Vote Gun will better realize its promise. For now, the uncorrected proof suggests a potentially strong book in need of further refinement.

Vote Gun by Patrick J. Charles is an intriguing exploration of the intersection between gun rights and the political landscape in the United States. Charles delves into the historical context of the Second Amendment, analyzing how its interpretation has evolved over time and how it continues to shape contemporary debates around gun ownership and regulation.

The book is well-researched and offers valuable insights into the legal and political frameworks that underpin gun rights advocacy. Charles’s writing is clear and engaging, making complex legal arguments accessible to a broader audience. His examination of the cultural implications of gun ownership adds depth to the discussion, prompting readers to consider the broader societal impact of firearms.

However, the book occasionally lacks balance, as it tends to lean more towards a particular perspective on the issue. Some readers might find the arguments one-sided, which could detract from the overall effectiveness of the narrative. Additionally, while the historical analysis is thorough, it sometimes feels repetitive, which may cause readers to lose interest.

Overall, Vote Gun provides a thought-provoking examination of gun rights in America, but it could benefit from a more nuanced approach to the opposing viewpoints in this highly charged debate. It’s a worthwhile read for those interested in understanding the complexities of the issue, but it may not fully satisfy readers looking for a comprehensive exploration of all sides.

In "Vote Gun," Patrick J. Charles delves into U.S. gun politics and uses his research to challenge several popular theories about guns. He uncovers that the NRA's extreme rhetoric began in the 1920s and identifies key events that were pivotal for the nation. Charles criticizes both political parties for yielding to the NRA's influence and points out missed opportunities, such as Jimmy Carter's failure to address gun violence. The book also explores how racial politics and anti-civil rights groups shaped the gun rights debate, noting how California's rapid gun laws were driven by fears of the Black Panthers. Filled with period cartoons and ads, "Vote Gun" offers a comprehensive social history of the NRA's rise and U.S. gun policy. As someone not well-versed in gun politics, I found Charles’ work eye-opening and highly appreciated it!

Vote Gun is an interesting look at how gun rights became more and more partisan. Patrick J. Charles shows us how that happened through bills, advertising, and assassinations of political figures. Overall, Vote Gun is incredibly informative for anyone interested in the topic, but the writing does get a bit dry in places.

This book is valuable for several reasons. First, Charles shows that the gun issue, although some historians and writers would like to argue it is, is actually not a new topic in politics and in American society at large. He convincingly busts the myth that it only became a wedge issue in the 1970s, as campaign finance allowed the NRA more leverage in politics. Chapter 1 of the book shows how this rhetoric really began with local rule on guns, rather than making it a federal issue. Components of Charles argument involved the NRA, but also the 1911 Sullivan Law in New York and the threat of a "5th column" on the homefront in WWII.

I had never heard of the 1961 TV program "The Right to Keep and Bear Arms" hosted by Peter Gunn, This shows, however, that the issue was bantered about even during the Kennedy years.

Ch. 5 really does a nice job looking at the evolution of NRA politics. What I found really important was Charles' discussion of CA Bill 1591. There always seems to be this argument put forth about black power and the Black Panther Party, which was castigated for openly carrying their firearms. The usual argument was that the subsequent law was passed to crack down on vigilant groups, but Charles makes it clear that it was more about protecting the 2nd amendment and helping police.

Nixon's involvement in the regulation of Saturday Night Specials also is a great contribution to our understanding of the issue.

All around, the book is a great read for anyone looking for more insight into the issue of guns in modern American history, but it is also a great book that looks at the impact of interest groups and lobbying efforts.