Guns

By: Stephen King

Narrated by: Christian Rummel

Length: 48 mins

Publisher's summary

In a pulls-no-punches essay intended to provoke rational discussion, Stephen King sets down his thoughts about gun violence in America. Anger and grief in the wake of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School are palpable in this urgent piece of writing, but no less remarkable are King's keen thoughtfulness and composure as he explores the contours of the gun-control issue and constructs his argument for what can and should be done.

King's earnings from the sale of this essay will go to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

Stephen King is the author of 11/22/63, Under the Dome, Carrie, The Shining, and many other best-selling works.

"The overwhelming response from readers of the Kindle Single edition of Guns underscores the great need for thoughtful discourse on the issue of guns in America…I’m thrilled Audible is bringing Guns to the quickly growing audience of audiobook listeners." (Stephen King)

©2013 Stephen King (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"There are a handful of subjects in America so emotional and polarizing that the national dialogue around them amounts to little more than a shouting match. Chief among these is the subject of guns. In this intimate and moving Kindle Single, Stephen King employs all his gifts as writer and citizen to address gun violence in America. But why should we care what Stephen King has to say? As it turns out, there are a number of reasons. Despite his "liberal creds," King is an unapologetic gun owner himself. He is also the author of a novel--published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman--that has served as a "possible accelerant" for at least four real-life high school shooters. King had his publisher take that book off the market long ago, but the guns and the occasional bursts of unfathomable violence remain. When division is everywhere, is it possible for someone to argue passionately for the middle road? That is what King seeks to do here--this is a frank and thoughtful contribution to a dialogue in dire need of voices from the 'all-but-deserted middle.'" (Chris Schluep, Amazon.com)

I love Stephen King

There is a reason Stephen King is my favorite author and has ruined me for most other authors lol. This essay is just a prime example

get your facts straight

it's a good story to listen to as long as you keep in mind is some idiot that don't know the difference between a magazine and a clip or semi-auto and an auto. what do you expect it is Stephen King

Good for you, Stephen King

After reading King's memoir on writing, I thought I would give this a try and it was fantastic. What a bright, articulate man he is and so enjoyable to listen to.

Some Rational Thoughts About Guns

I think that Stephen King should become president of the NRA. This essay provides personal insight into King's beliefs about guns and violence. He wrote the essay shortly after the Sandy Hook shooting in response to some of the craziness that is coming out of the mouths of people on both sides of the gun-control argument. I believe that King has been able to find some good middle ground--and I agree with the majority of his beliefs.

To those who know me, it is surely no surprise that I am a strong supporter of the second amendment. I regularly carry a concealed weapon, and I am completely opposed to having the second amendment repealed--or even tampered with. I am even a life member in the NRA. Even so, I am not one of those extremists who believes that there is no room for rational discussion. Even King himself is a gun owner and doesn't want his rights taken away; however, he understands the need for both sides of the argument to come together to find a solution to the problem of gun violence.

Let me be clear, I do not agree with everything that King wrote. He has some strong opinions that I think are a bit of stretch. Even so, this essay is one of the most reasonable views that I have recently heard. If you are on either extreme of the gun-control argument, you might struggle with the ideas in this essay. Nevertheless, you should think about some of King's suggestions. If you're not really on either side of the argument, this essay might help you form your own opinion.

Some people get it

This essay is brief, salient and just a tad snarky. Stephen King is not anti-guns in general, he just exposes the truths about what they are, what they do and what really happens when you do or do not own them. He suggests a course of action that doesn't force Americans to give up their 'constitutional rights'.

A Reasoned Opinion

Would you consider the audio edition of Guns to be better than the print version?

n/a

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

n/a
You don't listen to something like this for "enjoyment"

What about Christian Rummel’s performance did you like?

His performance was fine

Any additional comments?

This is an opinion piece that is well reasoned by King. That I don't agree is beside the point. I have waited for 35 years for something as shocking as Newtown to cause us to react by abridging the rights of the law abiding. I would have thought that Columbine would have done it- or Virginia Tech- or myriad others. Apparently it took the deaths of little kids. I suspect that a number of less high volume weapons would cause about the same damage. Will this have any effect? It will not and at least King is intellectually honest enough to admit that.
Just prepare for the infringement of something else that the elites in Washington don't approve of. The left thinks of this as a moral question. So it goes.

Everyone should read this

What did you love best about Guns?

Point of view from a gun owner, I.e. Mr. King.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Guns?

I liked being made to remember all the recent incidents, where innocents were struck down for NO reason. I think if every gun owner who actually took the time to read this - with an open mind - might come away from it without the fear that every gun in America should be taken out of homes.

Any additional comments?

This should be required reading for all gun owners, as well those in the opposite camp. This essay gives some perspective on the use and misuse of guns and reasons why certain types of guns and ammunition should be illegal and unavailable for public use. Before reading this essay, I was in the camp of no guns allowed. Now, at least, while I don't think I will ever have a reason to own a gun, I believe in the right to own a "readonable" gun(s). I am more firmly than ever on the side of background checks - people who have nothing to hide don't need to worry that they will be denied the right to purchase a gun - it will just take a little time. What is the hurry, anyway?

Nailed it.

Any additional comments?

This short essay was obviously written after the Sandy Hook shootings and I think it benefits from the emotion of the recent event. One thing is sure--we need cooperation and we need change and Steven King lays that need out that need perfectly.

eye opening

loved it... short sweet and to the point. King explains why he removed his book rage.

Amen!!

Any additional comments?

I personally don't see how anyone (left or right wing) can argue with the logic Stephen Kings uses in this book. I would like to see this book passed out to everyone in our country, its a perspective on gun control that could save a lot of lives without taking away our right to bear arms.