Historical background -- The Constitution and the Second Amendment -- State declarations of rights -- Modern views on the Second Amendment -- The Second Amendment goes to court -- The National Rifle Association -- Legislative responses to gun violence -- Gun Control Act of 1968 -- The effectiveness of gun control legislation -- A nation divided -- Public opinion -- National statistics -- International comparisons -- Law enforcement's role -- The public health community enters the debate -- Guns in suicide -- Guns as self-defense security -- The 1990s-the debate takes center stage -- Kids, guns, and schools -- Guns, schools and the Supreme Court -- Court watch -- Are guns safe?.