This Hot Topics series title provides up-to-date and well referenced information on the enormously passionate issue of gun control.  Support for the “pro” and “con” stances are the usual, predictable rationales:  Gabby Gifford’s case in Arizona, a right to carry state; the “stand your ground” defense of George Zimmerman in Florida; stand and defend.  A surprise was to read of gun control as a form of racism since certain classes are prevented from exercising their 2nd Amendment rights due to the costs and fees of gun ownership.  Without the financial resources, many cannot access the ammunition nor even the weapon itself, whereas the well-to-do can.  Another concept that seemed novel was that bearing arms can be seen as an equalizer.  It evens the playing field for a woman versus a man or a small man versus a larger man or an individual versus a group.  Great layout with highlighting, text boxes and colorful illustrations.  For a thin book, it is thick on material.  Excellent bibliographical references, discussion questions for each chapter and additional resources provided.