Earlier this year Larry Correia’s book “In Defense of the Second Amendment” dropped and I got my hands on a copy. I took my time to give the book a close read while staying away from other people’s reviews on the work. What I did do though is tune into several interviews Correia was featured in and quickly I took to his style and wit. His book finally made it to the top of my reading pile and I finished it. I have to say, it’s good. It’s really good.

IDOTSA is a great springboard into looking at the Second Amendment as a civil liberty. Correia is a professional fiction novelist, whose sardonic, witty, and visceral writing style shines through within the pages of IDOTSA. The content was not purported to be a master’s level class on gun stuff, however, the book is thorough and covers the bases on many of the gnawing topics that surround this right.

What Part of the Second Amendment Don’t You Understand?

That’s the question posed by award-winning, New York Times bestselling author, and professional firearms instructor, Larry Correia.

Bringing with him the practical experience that comes from having owned a high-end gun store—catering largely to law enforcement—and as a competitive shooter and self-defense trainer, Correia blasts apart the emotion-laden, logic-free rhetoric of the gun control fanatics who turn every “mass shooting” into a crazed call for violating your rights, abusing the Constitution—and doing absolutely nothing to really fight crime. 

IDOTSA I’d say is for everyone, no matter their level of study on the topic. I will note that there are a lot of non-surprises for those who have been digging into American so-called “gun rights” for years, but there’s also plenty of content that will speak to the most learned of Second Amendment academics.

Correia did his research and IDOTSA has over 130 citations, many from trusted academic sources. While seasoned activists and advocates may already “know” many facts he’s put forward, he leaves the very important bread crumbs on where to get the raw data. If you’re a gun writer, I’d recommend picking the book up, not just for the quality content, but to also snipe his sources. I’m sure Correia won’t mind if you buy his book with that intention in mind!

What are readers going to learn in IDOTSA? The 189 page book has seven distinct chapters, most with subsections. The chapters don’t have titles pe se, nor is there a table of contents to turn to, but each chapter does thematically revolve around the different topics that might be of discussion such as so-called “assault weapons,” mass shootings, arming teachers, simple clarification of nomenclature. Correia does all this in a didactic manner and does not talk down to his readers.

Topics include:

• Why “gun-free” zones are more dangerous for law-abiding citizens
• How the Second Amendment does indeed include your right to own an AR-15—and why that’s not an “outdated” concept
• Why “red flag” laws don’t work, can be easily abused, and ignore a much more commonsensical approach to keeping guns out of the wrong hands
• The insanity of “criminal justice reform” that frees dangerous criminals and “gun reform” that penalizes your right to self-defense
• How we can return to a society that has a safe and healthy relationship with guns—as we had for most of our history
• Correia’s promise: “Believe me, I’ve heard every argument relating to gun control possible. I can show you how to defend your rights.”

Something that I love about the book is Correia’s accessibility. The book is not written in high English, but it’s also not thrown together by a dullard. Correia uses language that I think would speak to most people. When humor and sarcasm is necessary, they add an element of spice to the work, rather than obviate Correia’s message.

An added bonus about Correia is that he’s not just a speculative writer, coming at the book from a “fill my curiosity” vantage point. Correia is a professional in the firearms industry and this is an individual who knows guns and firearms. Correia is also a firearms instructor. When pre-publication copies of his book started to roll out, I engaged with one of Correia’s social media pages, and this is a guy that likes to shoot and is from all accounts a competent operator – he does not hide this at all.

Brass tacks, I recommend this book for anyone that’s looking to get started on learning more about the Second Amendment and how our rights are viewed/treated in the U.S. This book would make a great gift for new gun owners. 

IDOTSA also could be a very valuable resource to members of the mainstream media. Correia explains many of the things that often get overlooked or misconstrued by MSM. Those who wish to be genuine in their reporting have a lot to gain from taking in IDOTSA. Rank and file gun writers also would have plenty to benefit from reading Correia’s book.

My copy of IDOTSA has a pile of highlights throughout. There’s more than one gem in there that’s worthy of repeating, and plenty of statistics and sources that are valuable for visitation. Personally, I’ve already drawn material that I’ve quoted from Correia’s book in articles of my own. Noted earlier, the book lacks a table of contents, however it makes up for it with a very comprehensive index, which makes looking for a topic easy.

Pluses: Easy and fun to read. Correia entertains and teaches at the same time. Great for new gun owners, law students, members of the media, and veteran advocates. Comprehensive. Available in kindle e-book and audio format.

Minuses: No table of contents. Headers of both left and right pages are adorned with the title of the book only, rather than title on one side, author on the other – or some other derivation like author and chapter. Not available in paperback.

Would I buy this book? Hands down, yes. The copy I have is a handsome hardcover with dust jacket, however I would trade it for a kindle copy for ease of reference and transport. Considering the time of year that this review is rolling out, this would be a great gift for that prospective and or new gun owner in your life, or budding activist. Correia did a great job bridging the gap between overly technical jargon and the everyday reader. Kudos! for making these concepts accessible but not diluted.

You can catch Cam’s interview with Correia from earlier this year HERE or in the embed below.