Gun Safety in the Home

This book was nearly a perfectly complete disappointment. The only saving grace of its 127 numbered pages were a few useful tips here and there. That is like saying however, that 2 of the 12 eggs in the carton weren’t broken.The main problems with this book are:A) The editing is awfulB) The author completely forgets or misunderstands who his audience isC) The author’s self-indulgent writing tone often swings back and forth between scolding and arrogance.For a thin paperback book with the title, GUN SAFETY IN THE HOME, I expected a book that was especially practical and straightforward. Stated another way: the kind of book that someone with no more or even less than a high school education could easily follow and understand. Unexpectedly and strangely, this book is anything but clear and easily accessible.To begin with, consider some examples of the sort of language used in the book (with the associated page number):fusillade – 17semanticists – 21strafes – 22eponymous – 23postural – 24digits (instead of fingers) – 31promulgated – 34avulsed – 48ergo – 58distal phalange - 62enucleated - 107None of the above is likely easily understood language for the average reader.Additionally…Picture on page 36: The caption under the picture states that the female shown in the picture is a “new shooter”. This is irrelevant and demeaning.Upper picture on page 37: The caption under the picture states that the male shown in the picture is a “new young shooter”. This is irrelevant and demeaning.Lower picture on page 37: The picture is of five males in the distance with the one in the center holding a firearm and a magazine. The caption under the picture reads like a sales pitch for the Live Oak Police Department’s Teen Academy range day and Chief Buddy Williams. As the reader, why should I care who these people are?Lower picture on page 38: The caption under the picture includes the text, “…preparatory to shooting.” Could the message have been stated more clearly by avoiding the odd language? Yes. Need a suggestion? Try "Before shooting..." Duh.Picture on page 39: The caption under the picture states that the female shown in the picture is a “young lady”. This is irrelevant and demeaning. Besides, age is relative. Why even bother with such filler language other than to indulge the author’s ego?Pictures on pages 66, 67 and 68: The small portable Gun Vault safe shown is one that has appeared in at least one YouTube video where a paper clip is used to quickly open the box from the outside (no need to bother with the provided key). Gun safety, yes?Some rock solid insight from page 68: “We can’t alter the time/space continuum with wishful thinking.” REALLY? Genius!Page 91: “The Bible says, in Proverbs 28:1, ‘The wicked flee where no man pursueth, but the righteous man stands his ground as bold as a lion’”. Properly conveyed, information about gun safety requires no references to the Bible (or any other religious text) and all of the hypocrisy, death and inspiration of various sorts that some humans claim to glean from the book or attribute godly direction from. Better to leave the Bible talk out and focus on clarity about gun safety.From page 93: “…keep their booger hooker [finger] off the bang switch [trigger]. Wow, what adult writing. What is next? Fart jokes? Racist banter? More religious musings? So what if the author is trivializing gun safety by equating it with booger humor, right? Right.From page 110: “Anthony” [Lanza] – wrong. “Adam” [Lanza] would be correct. Just as the name “Adam Lanza” appeared on the prior page and just as the name “Adam Lanza” appears two sentences later on the same page. Perhaps the editor was distracted what with the booger humor still causing belly laughs.This book is way below Ayoob's ability. The writing style suggests that the book was written more to satisfy the author’s ego than to provide straightforward and easily understood gun safety information to the average reader. The excessive jargon alternates between jarring, interfering with understanding, and laughter inducing for the blatant stupidity of its usage. The book is brimming with editing errors – one example: Having to re-read sentences due to their odd construction and equally odd use of language. The tone of the book is hostile throughout, like something written by a bitter and cynical elderly person. Most of the photographs are poor examples.For a thin book on gun safety, this book is not just a dud, but a near complete mess. A waste of money to purchase and a near complete waste of time to attempt to read.

"If you read just one book about gun safety..." As the often used phrase goes, I can't think of a book that it might apply better to. Over the past few years alone, gun sales (and presumably new gun owners) have increased exponentially. With firearm ownership comes serious responsibility - even if you live alone. This book does a great job of introducing the new gun owner to the concepts, rules, and reasons of gun safety - in a way that is neither condescending or sugar-coated.The author (one of the most credentialed and qualified to do so) lays out the basics of gun safety and then explains each rule. Rather than just beating the "memorize this list" horse, Massad Ayoob realizes that knowledge and learning come from understanding - and he lets the reader understand where the dangers lie and how to prevent them.All the important topics are covered: Gun safety rules; Safe handling practices; Safe and secure storage; Guns and children; etc. And yet, at just under 120 pages, the book is not some ordeal to overcome - something you will make a good effort to read and then put down for lack of time. It can be easily read in a weekend - or a single rainy day, with no problem. This is important, because all of the wisdom in the universe put into an unread book is meaningless. The author understands this, and has made this the perfect 'digest'.Near the end of the book, almost as a segue into a different topic, are several case studies of accidental and negligent discharges that have occurred, each with a detailed forensic evaluation of what was done wrong, what went wrong, and lessons of prevention.I've been around guns all my life, and I find it important for seasoned "gun folk" to pick up a book such as this from time to time too. Complacency is the arch-enemy of safety in any practice! This book reminded me of several points that need to be considered and re-considered over the years if we are to keep firearms safely in the home.

One of Massad Ayoob's best works. If you're in doubt about the safety and security of the firearm you bought to defend your home, have sporting arms, have non firearms educated elderly and children in the home, this is must read.One word of caution, it can be dry at times. Mas is both a retired policemam and a lawyer, so that carries over a bit.

bought if for my little brother. so he can the safety

Love it. Will read it again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again

The author is an expert in the field. This book is a good read for a person new to the gun world and a nice refresher for those more experienced.

Good reference! Reading for some friends I want to teach safe firearms handling to, hopefully including my daughter-in-law.

Good info