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Guns  By  cover art

Guns

By: Stephen King
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
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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)

What listeners say about Guns

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Don't be duped into BUYING this abuse

What disappointed you about Guns?

This was presented as an unbiased opinion on this issue. You pay to be yelled at, called names and abused by this author. I have many of his books in my library and absolutely love most of them. This is not an unbiased discussion.

Has Guns turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes, the narrator did a very good job.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It did have a few good points before he started acting angry about people who disagree with his opinions.

Any additional comments?

Why does everyone that has access to the media feel they are an authority on politics. Is there anyone that can have a discussion or express their opinion without getting angry with people who do not share their view?

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134 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Review by US Army Vet: That's How it Shakes Out

It seems important to mention one's "creds" in writing reviews of Stephen King's "Guns" so I will start with mine: I served in the US Army, and was honorably discharged as a SGT/E-5. I qualified Expert with an M16 (the civilian equivalent is an AR15), and I'm still proud of that.

I also have a copy of "Rage", in the compilation of "The Bachman Books" that I purchased the year it was published, 1985. I remember reading "The Bachan Books" the same week I purchased it. I loved "The Running Man" and liked "Roadwork", and while the plot of "Rage" was intriguing, the writing was so sophomoric, it was painful. I found out later King wrote "Rage" while he was in high school, so there was an explanation. I read "Rage" once again, in 1996, when I heard Michael Carneal shot classmates in West Paducah, Kentucky. It sounded so much like the story I'd read 11 years earlier, I wanted to make sure I wasn't imagining the similarity. I wasn't.

King's essay "Guns" starts with a scathing social commentary, "That's How it Shakes Out." It doesn't matter if the first station you've got programmed into your remote is FoxNEWS and Ann Coulter is your dream date, or if you are so far left you contribute frequently to KPFK: the media cycle for mass shootings is the same.

King argues forcefully - and sometimes vulgarly - for gun control. King is a gun owner himself, and does not want to disarm the country - but he does want assault weapons banned, and large magazines banned; and he wants background checks.

What King argues isn't new or innovative, but the writing is vintage King. There are phrases I remember from "The Shawshank Redemption" (the movie adaptation, not the original novella "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption") and the unabridged edition of "The Stand." There's also a theme in the first and last section of "Guns" that runs through "The Library Policeman" and "The Ten O'Clock People." The theme was chilling in the stories, and the probability it's a reality is startling.

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Tired and flawed logic

This reminds me of the Paul Wellstone funeral back in 2002 which started out as a memorial and turned into a Democratic National Convention. The sound bite you get for free is luring but it quickly turns into a hatchet job on the NRA and freedom loving Americans. I should have known to expect this since it was so prominently advertised. I could have turned on MSNBC and heard Chris Matthews spout this same tired drivel.

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81 people found this helpful

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Very Well Disguised Liberal Agenda

I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of this essay -- a sober and cogent look
and gun violence and the media's love affair with it.

Mr. King's thoughts are particularly interesting given his own "connection" to gun violence with young people and his book Rage.

Just as I was beginning to think that I was going to continue to receive a thoughtful and balanced conclusion to this essay Mr. King takes a decided left turn and suggests that the answer to this societal ill is to ban the ownership of certain forms of firearms and high capacity magazines.

How disappointing that this entire essay, which offers such a brilliant personal reflection on the subject of gun violence, ends with the parroting of the standard liberal mantra of banning guns. I was hoping for more.

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Anecdotal at best

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I am undecided on this issue however I was disappointed with my favorite story teller's attempt to cobble together a cogent argument. For someone that can easily move between horror, fantasy, and baseball, his efforts fell short given his capabilities. Very disappointed.

Has Guns turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

What aspect of Christian Rummel’s performance would you have changed?

Very enthusiastic

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

First chapter . . . Shakedown, had merits.

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Lost credibility on Chicago murder #s & ban there

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Someone who knows less about gun laws.

Has Guns turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Christian Rummel?

No one

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It did give some good information.

Any additional comments?

It was interesting that you mentioned all the murders in Chicago but neglected to mention the gun ban there.

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Almost hit the mark

Would you try another book from Stephen King and/or Christian Rummel?

Big Stephen King fan.

Would you recommend Guns to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes and No, It tends to reiterate many of the tired old arguments from both sides, bringing both sides towards the middle but not introducing anything new to the debate which is very useful for those of us not paying attention, but for those of us who do, not very stimulating.

What about Christian Rummel’s performance did you like?

The performance of the narrator was very passionate which kept your ear and made the listen very enjoyable.

Was Guns worth the listening time?

The short nature of it made it a good listen while I did some quick house chores.

Any additional comments?

The author does a good job of bringing the far right/left wings more towards the center, and surprisingly I agree with many of his statements. One thing I was disappointed to see was the failure to address one critical problem with gun laws and the 2nd amendment. The primary reason it was put in place was in reaction to the dismal prospects at the start of the revolutionary war. i.e. a public with inferior weaponry subject to rule by the government because they had no realistic prospects of taking on such a well armed government. How they pulled it off was a miracle really. The 2nd amendment is there to ensure the government fears the people, not the other way around.The authors proposal only makes rational sense if you are willing to forgo that position. If you are willing to subject yourself to a law enforcement that can out-gun you any day of the week. Not a problem when everything works right (which for the most part it does and has but there are notable exceptions) but the alternative, I believe, is the exact reason it was put in the constitution.

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Shame on Audible

For anyone that knows me, they know that Stephen King is my favorite writer and I've read all of his books, but "Guns" is just another rant from a celebrity. There is no breakthrough new ideas on the gun issue that other pundits voice their opinion before. Just because it's Stephen King, this essay is getting good reviews. It's too bad that Audible is trying to make a buck out of 49 minutes from one author opinion on guns. Audible could had given this one away, but they didn't, even though its an Audible, Inc. production. Shame on Audible.

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What a piece of crap!!!!

What would have made Guns better?

The truth with facts would have made this book better.

What could Stephen King have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Been honest and factual and not misleading.

Would you be willing to try another one of Christian Rummel’s performances?

Narrator was decent.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

There was nothing good about this book but the narrator.

Any additional comments?

The book is written by another famous person who has limited knowledge about what he is talking about. He is misleading and not factual. He can not be this stupid so I'm assuming that he is misleading on purpose. He really needs to review what the second admendment is really about. Also he keeps saying the are trying to ban auto and semi auto guns. This not true at all. Automatic firearms have been banned since the mid 80's. Also he states that the teacher in her reference could have possible not been shot if the shooter would have had a 10 round magazine instead of a 30 round because it would have taken some time to reload, this is misleading. You can drop empty mag and pop new one in, in less than 3 seconds. He also speaks of how great Australia is since they have banned guns. What he forgets to tell you how violent crimes have dramatically risen. Also he states that these guns are not used to hunt. This also is not true. Seven of the 10 guys I hunt with use AR's to hunt with. You don't unload a full mag on a deer. I was very disappointed with his ingnorance because I do enjoy his books. Just another liberal agenda.

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The Facts

King uses his talents at storytelling and facts to make his suggestions. He makes some good points, all of which you have heard before, only he does use several facts that back up his statements. King is a liberal and a gun owner. I am a conservative and not a gun owner for those who like to paint everyone with a wide brush.

Chances are he is not going to change anybody's mind in this divided country, but I appreciate the try and it was entertaining on top of everything else.

The narrator was excellent and added to the understanding of the essay.

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