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)

Well Balanced

I appriciated this well balanced essay on gun control. Open discussion without hysteria is what this country needs and this is a good place to start.

Balanced insight into a sensitive issue

I really enjoyed Stephen King's perspective on Guns in this essay. I'm not sure I agreed with it 100% but it wasn't presented in a way that made the reader feel like they must agree but rather presented a perspective and opinion that certainly was balanced with practicality. It's very easy to get emotional about this issue of Guns but unfortunately it's not an issue solution. I think this essay presents a constructive start to the dialog.

Excellent analysis of situation

What did you love best about Guns?

Very even handed, shooting down extremes and sillyness on both sides of the issue. Highly recommended reading.

The dialog starts here

Stephen King does a great job of starting the *real* conversation on gun violence in America. A must listen.

Great narration. Great essay.

This essay is roughly 6 years old. Except for the fact that the essay is lacking the most recent examples, it could have been written yesterday.

A balanced conversation on the subject

Stephen King is known for his horror books. With this short essay, we leave the world of fiction for a world of opinion and political commentary that I daresay might just speak for the 'silent majority' of people that don't feel strongly enough about the 'Gun Control' debate to speak up one way or another. Mr. King shows a willingness to admit his own personal divide on the subject, being a gun-owner but also believing that there is a place for some sort of regulation of firearms.
This short essay reads like an appeal from the heart, an honest commentary that has less to do with actual Guns and more to do with the politics behind the Gun control debate. If you have no opinion on the subject, or you feel very strongly about this subject - this essay will make you think - exactly what it was intended to do.

Expressed it Well!! Hope they listen!

Guns
By: Stephen King
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
This is an excellent essay on a subject near and dear to most people's heart, one way or another. Stephen King has a way of expressing his opinion in a way that matters...you will understand after you hear his story. I never read the story he mentions. I used my Kindle Unlimited to get it, good use of it!
Narrator was great!

I agree!!!

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

I don't know as I didn't read the print version.

Any additional comments?

Well, I have to say that I agree with him. Outlawing all guns isn't going to solve the problem. But, perhaps outlawing the ones that are solely for the purpose of slaughtering (not game hunting) might make a difference and stricter requirements to purchase guns and better background checks might make it better. Putting all of these things into effect couldn't do anything but make a difference to the better. Although some might say "a little too little and a little too late", but in some things a little a little late is better than nothing ever. Maybe taking these steps will save some of our grand kids and great grand kids from the horrors that we are seeing today.

Guns, an apology.

Where does Guns rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Short and to the point.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Chapter?

What about Christian Rummel’s performance did you like?

Well done. I can hear Mr. King.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Too bad fiction is taken so seriously by some who are perhaps not in touch with reality. Mr. King has written so many books that are thought provoking, funny, hateful and oh yes down right scary. I believe his intention is to make us think.

true story

Fun listen about the gun issue. Written as a response to his earlier book,"Rage." I am not sure that Australian Gun laws are the answer but seeing a semi-automatic gun as more than a toy is unrealistic.
The reader is compelling too.
short essay.