In this compelling portrait of gun carriers, Jennifer Carlson draws on her fieldwork attending guns shows and training courses, becoming an NRA certified instructor, and carrying a firearm to unpack the everyday politics of guns.

Acknowledgements ; Chapter 1: American Dreams, American Nightmares ; Chapter 2: Criminal Insecurities ; Chapter 3: NRA Training and the Everyday Politics of Gun Carry ; Chapter 4: The Right to Self-Defense, the Duty to Protect ; Chapter 5: Policing Guns, Profiling People ; Chapter 6: Jumping the Gun ; Conclusion: We Hope for Better Things; It Shall Rise from the Ashes ; Notes ; Bibliography ; Index

In this insightful, often eye-popping study, Jennifer Carlson describes how millions of Americans have come to view carrying of concealed guns in public as a civic obligation - and to regard killing in self-defense as a moral act. Whether you embrace these views or find them repugnant, the study will force you to grapple with uncomfortable questions about the role of the state vs. the individual in maintaining public order.

"In this insightful, often eye-popping study, Jennifer Carlson describes how millions of Americans have come to view carrying of concealed guns in public as a civic obligation - and to regard killing in self-defense as a moral act. Whether you embrace these views or find them repugnant, the study will force you to grapple with uncomfortable questions about the role of the state vs. the individual in maintaining public order." --Kristin A. Goss, Duke University, and co-author of The Gun Debate: What Everyone Needs to Know® "Carlson's study is the first to take gun carriers seriously as social subjects, a breakthrough in our national discussion of guns, law, and society." --Jonathan Simon, University of California, Berkeley "In this riveting and reflexive ethnography, Jennifer Carlson locks, loads, and fires a nuanced argument about how guns are used to address problems of social, economic, and physical insecurities in the United States. The findings compel the reader to reflect on the ubiquitous and embodied American culture of self-reliance, racialized criminalization, and vigilantism." --Victor Rios, University of California, Santa Barbara and author of Punished "... a timely, well-written, jargon-free, nuanced book on why millions of Americans carry guns and view themselves as models of good citizenship... Gun supporters and gun opponents will be challenged by this sophisticated work." --CHOICE "I recommend this book. Carlson serves to enhance this body of literature, pursuing the menacing and challenging questions central to the most relevant concerns and social issues today. This book is not just for academics. Anyone with a general interest in gun culture and related debates should find this book to be of value. It's a worthwhile read." --Jim D. Taylor, Ohio University Zanesville, American Journal of Sociology "Citizen-Protectors is a well-researched book that takes gun-carriers as important social subjects in the gun-related debate. Jennifer Carlson is not politically correct and does not hesitate to ask and try to answer difficult questions. And she does it in a timely, nuanced and easy-to-understand manner. This book is for every American." --The Washington Bookreview "In Citizen-Protectors, Jennifer Carlson explores Americans' love for firearms. During her research for this book, Jennifer Carlson took part in firearms training sessions, attended pro-arm gatherings, and carried a gun herself. With the help of the stories of gun-carriers, Jennifer Carlson opens a window into the complexities of American gun culture and the dramatic changes it has undergone over the past several decades." - The Washington Book Review

Selling point: An insightful and evenhanded ethnography of how everyday gun carriers hold great power in our political system Selling point: Argues that gun carrying is viewed as a form of engaged citizenship and details the different motives and views of men, women, and people of color who carry guns Selling point: Reveals how the NRA's firearm training courses contribute to the Association's broader political agenda Selling point: Draws on the author's own experiences participating in firearms training classes, attending pro-gun events, and carrying a concealed weapon Selling point: The first book to examine the carrying of concealed weapons as an everyday practice

Jennifer Carlson is Assistant Professor, School of Sociology and School of Government & Public Policy at the University of Arizona. Her work examines gun politics, policing and public law enforcement, the politics of race and gender, and violence.

Selling point: An insightful and evenhanded ethnography of how everyday gun carriers hold great power in our political system Selling point: Argues that gun carrying is viewed as a form of engaged citizenship and details the different motives and views of men, women, and people of color who carry guns Selling point: Reveals how the NRA's firearm training courses contribute to the Association's broader political agenda Selling point: Draws on the author's own experiences participating in firearms training classes, attending pro-gun events, and carrying a concealed weapon Selling point: The first book to examine the carrying of concealed weapons as an everyday practice