Citation

Boylan M, Kates DB, Lindsey RW, Gugala Z. Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. 2013; 471(12): 3934-3936.

Affiliation

Marymount University, Arlington, VA, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Springer)

DOI

10.1007/s11999-013-3300-4

PMID

24065174

Abstract

The issue of gun control in the United States generates heated and passionate debate whenever it comes up. To provide a brief glimpse into the wide spectrum of opinions on this topic,the symposium’s guest editors have invited two prominent and opposing voices on this subject. Michael Boylan PhD is Professor and Chair of Philosophy at Marymount University in Arlington, VA, and has been a staunch advocate for more stringent gun control. Don Kates JD is a retired professor of constitutional and criminal law, criminologist, and research fellow with The Independent Institute in Oakland, CA. Kates has fervently argued against firearm regulation. As you will appreciate, both contributors provide rational support for their positions with little common ground. We believe that the absence of common ground here is, in fact, part of the problem. If we are to have any chance of solving the problems of civilians maiming and killing other civilians with firearms,individuals on both sides of the gun-control debate— as well as those in the broad, moderate middle— will need to see theissue as complicated, nuanced, and, for many, laden with emotion. It is our sincerest hope that even those on the extremes begin to look for areas of agreement, and use thoseareas as a point of departure for sensible approaches to minimize the dreadful harm that gunshot injuries cause. Although this is the first forum to focus on the social, as opposed to the scientific or clinical aspects of gunshot injury, its relevance for the clinician is no less crucial. The social decisions we make or fail to make today ...

Language: en