According to Patterson, 20% of US citizens like guns, 20% dislike guns, and 60% are somewhere in the middle, providing the "balance of power". The 20% that like guns will dislike this book, and the 20% that dislike guns will like this book. The other 60% are likely to move a bit closer to disliking guns by reading this book. But the reader should be mindful of the fact that Patterson is controlling both sides of the gun debate inside the covers of his book. Clearly, he is anti-gun and believes that the Second Second protects only the rights of state militias, not individuals. If you're looking for a well written, emotionally compelling, fictional story to buttress your belief that guns are bad, this book is for you. On the other hand, if you'd like to explore a balanced debate, check out "Opposing Viewpoints Series - Gun Control (Opposing Viewpoints Series)" by Helen Cothran (Editor).