He argues that the widespread ownership of firearms in private hands in the U.S. promotes the spread of the "disease" of gun violence, and he takes a collective interpretation of the Second Amendment while stating that increased regulations are absolutely necessary in the purposes of public safety.

"[1] He specifically criticizes the work of academic researchers John Lott, Jr. and Gary Kleck, both of which have published criminological studies finding no reason to think that the spread of guns leads to more crime.

"[1] Suspense novelist Richard North Patterson referred to the book as a "lucid and penetrating study" and lauded it as "essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the tragedy of gun violence in America".

Corlin remarked about Hemenway as well, "Consideration and adoption of the policy lessons he recommends would strengthen the Constitutional protections that all of our citizens have to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".

Jerome P. Kassirer, a past editor-in-chief emeritus of the New England Journal of Medicine, praised what he viewed as the books "scholarly, sober analytic assessments", and he commented that "Hemenway constructs a convincing case that firearm availability is a critical and proximal cause of unparalleled carnage.