I’ve always said that the operative word in the phrase “gun control” was control. I’ve never believed the ultimate motivation behind the gun grabbers was to merely eliminate firearms.

Instead I have always believed that getting rid of guns is merely a necessary step to complete control over me and my fellow citizens. So, when I saw that the name of Glenn Beck’s new book was called “Control: Exposing the Truth About Guns,” I figured that I wasn’t alone in my thinking.

Beck’s not a long-time gun guy. A lot of gun owners reading this might get frustrated if you tried to hold a conversation with him about stopping power, reloading powders or why you can’t shoot 22 LR in a 22 Magnum firearm. But, Beck, who is a shooter, is a man who understands liberty and he proves that with this book.

The book is divided into two main parts. The first refutes the popular pro-control arguments point by point. In this way, Beck takes the gun grabber arguments head on and does an excellent job of dismantling them using data and their own words. The second section of the book examines the causes of violence in America, what influences children and young adults to go on spree killings and what we can do to stop violence.

As someone who has been involved in the defense of our rights for many years, I knew a lot of the information Beck presented. But, there were a lot of details that were new to me. For example, did you know that Albert Einstein’s home was raided by Nazis specifically looking for “…a huge quantity of arms and ammunition…?”  I’m not surprised, but why is it that is one of the little details in history that never seems to make it into the text books?

Beck refutes the idea that gun crimes are increasing with actual data, while pointing out the perception of increasing gun violence is fueled by disproportionate media coverage. He also clearly explains that spree murders with firearms are not exclusive to the US and provides evidence to prove it.

The book is concise and gets right to the main points. Don’t expect any fluff or flowery language in Control.  Do expect plenty of follow up reading. There are more than 25 pages of references at the back of the book that point the reader the exact sources of data and other information.

Rarely is any book the work of any single person, and Control is no different. But the quality of the contributors and researchers in this book is nothing short of outstanding.  Among the people who made the book possible are John Lott, David Kopel, Stephen Halbrook and Lt. Col. Dave Grossman.

Control is available as a paperback and electronically through the Amazon.com Kindle store. The cover price is $12, but I’ve not seen it selling for more than $10 anywhere. If you have any interest in the arguments for or against gun control, I highly recommend this book as a great starting point in your education. The source notes alone are worth the price.